Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
ISSN: 1303 - 2968   
Ios-APP Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Androit-APP Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
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©Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2017) 16, 280 - 285

Research article
Doubly Disadvantaged? The Relative Age Effect in Poland’s Basketball Players
Krystian Rubajczyk , Kamil Świerzko, Andrzej Rokita
Author Information
Department of Team Games Sport, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Poland

Krystian Rubajczyk
✉ Department of Team Games Sport, University School of Physical Education, Wroclaw, Poland
Email: krystian.rubajczyk@gmail.com
Publish Date
Received: 30-01-2017
Accepted: 06-05-2017
Published (online): 01-06-2017
 
 
ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to identify the relative age effect (RAE) in young Polish male (n = 3849) and female (n = 3419) basketball players aged 14 to 22 years competing in the elite games of the Polish Youth Championships. The distribution of birth dates, body height, players’ match statistics, and the results of teams participating in championships were identified. The RAE was observed in male and female group, regardless of players age. Nevertheless, the greatest disproportion in the distribution of dates of birth was found in U16 group of boys (V = 0.25, p < 0.0001). Significant differences in body height were identified in U14 and U16 groups of boys (p < 0.0001) and U14 group of girls (p < 0.01). The RAE was the most detrimental in the group of boys from teams ranked 9th or lower (p < 0.0001). The groups of male and female basketball players from the top 3 teams had the highest average body height (p < 0.001). In U14 boys, significantly higher match results and performance index ratings (PIR) were observed for players born in the first half of a calendar year. The research results show the impact of the RAE on the success of youth basketball teams in Poland. The month of birth, body height and sex may determine sporting achievements in youth basketball. Coaches should consider the chronological age and pubertal growth acceleration (APHV-age at peak height velocity) of players to optimize the process of identifying gifted basketball players, especially among boys of 14 years of age.

Key words: Basketball, youth basketball, maturity, sport success, relative age effect, talent identification


           Key Points
  • The RAE was identified in all groups competing in the elite games of the Polish Youth Championships.
  • Height averages were the highest in the group of male and female players from the top 3 teams.
  • The research results show the impact of the RAE on the success of youth basketball teams in Poland.
  • It is necessary to create comprehensive strategies to minimize the RAE phenomenon in basketball, for each sex separately.
 
 
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