Table 1 Exploratory Factor Analysis on the Advantages of a Relative Age Effect in Masters Sport.
If I were in the first year of a 5-year age category… EXP MOT TRN AWR PHY
Expectancy (EXP)
My expectation to set an international record in competitions compared to if I were in the final year would be… .80 .17 .06 .17 .18
My expectation to set a personal record in competitions compared to if I were in the final year would be… .79 .12 .22 .17 .18
My expectation about how I would place in competitions compared to if I were in the final year would be… .84 .20 .11 .28 .01
My overall advantage over my opponents compared to if I were in the final year would be… .76 .27 .07 .27 .06
Motivation (MOT)
My enjoyment at competitions compared to if I were in the final year would be… .15 .78 .03 .09 .25
My obligation to enter competitions compared to if I were in the final year would be… .19 .68 .26 -.11 .02
My desire to enter competitions compared to if I were in the final year would be… .29 .66 .19 .28 .00
My expectation to enter competitions compared to if I were in the final year would be.. .29 .65 .25 .03 .02
The support and encouragement that I would receive from others for my sport involvement compared to if I were in the final year would be… -.04 .56 .08 .05 .28
My excitement about competitions compared to if I were in the final year would be… .28 .53 .29 .28 .19
Training (TRN)
The duration of my training sessions compared to if I were in the final year would be.. .10 .19 .89 .08 .21
The intensity of my training sessions compared to if I were in the final year would be.. .16 .19 .84 .17 .16
The frequency of my training sessions compared to if I were in the final year would be.. .15 .25 .80 .15 .23
Awareness of Advantage (AWR)
The number of times that I would set an international record in competition compared to if I were in the final year would be… .24 .09 .04 .75 .15
The number of times that I would set a personal record in competition compared to if I were in the final year would be… .28 .04 .07 .73 .22
My placing in competitions compared to if I were in the final year would be… .27 .03 .21 .67 -.07
Physiological Capacity (PHY)
My physical fitness compared to if I were in the final year would be… .11 .19 .34 .02 .78
My physical capability compared to if I were in the final year would be.. .29 .06 .25 .16 .72
Cronbach’s alpha .90 .84 .91 .74 .77
Eigen Value 8.66 2.21 1.44 1.19 1.10
% Variance 41.22 10.50 6.88 5.67 4.79
Motivation (MOT) .58 -
Training (TRN) .38 .56 -
Awareness of Advantage (AWR) .56 .39 .36 -
Physiological Capacity (PHY) .41 .47 .50 .30 -