Jones Benjamin D, Lawrence Gavin P, Hardy Lew
a School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Institute for the Psychology of Elite Performance , Bangor University , Bangor , UK.
J Sports Sci. 2018 Mar;36(6):697-703. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2017.1332420. Epub 2017 Jun 19.
The relative age effect (RAE) describes an overrepresentation of players born early (Q1) in a selection year and is highly prevalent within youth sport pathways. However, a dearth of research has investigated the RAE at the "super-elite" level. The present research assessed the presence of RAE in super-elite performers. Study 1 investigated RAEs in the world's best international Test cricketers (N = 262) over a 20-year period according to a robust and stringent "super-elite" criteria. Results revealed the RAE (Q1) when all disciplines were combined. Upon closer examination, this effect was also observed for the batting and spin bowling disciplines, whereas no RAE was found for the pace bowling discipline. Study 2 investigated RAEs in super-elite rugby union players (N = 691) over a 20 year period. Results revealed the RAE for backs (Q1) and a reversal of the traditional RAE (Q4) for forwards, and when all rugby union positions were combined. These findings provide new evidence of RAEs at the super-elite level and present both inter and intra sports differences. Potential explanations for these findings are explored, owing to the survival and evolution of the fittest concepts, and the implications for future research and applied practice are presented.
相对年龄效应（RAE）描述了在选拔年份中出生较早（第一季度）的运动员比例过高的现象，并且在青少年体育发展路径中非常普遍。然而，针对“超级精英”水平的相对年龄效应的研究却十分匮乏。本研究评估了超级精英运动员中相对年龄效应的存在情况。研究1根据严格且稳健的“超级精英”标准，调查了20年间世界上最优秀的国际板球测试赛球员（N = 262）的相对年龄效应。结果显示，当所有项目合并计算时存在相对年龄效应（第一季度）。进一步研究发现，击球和旋转投球项目也存在这种效应，而快速投球项目则未发现相对年龄效应。研究2调查了20年间超级精英橄榄球联盟球员（N = 691）的相对年龄效应。结果显示，后卫存在相对年龄效应（第一季度），而前锋则出现了与传统相对年龄效应相反的情况（第四季度），并且在所有橄榄球联盟位置合并计算时也呈现出这种情况。这些发现为超级精英水平的相对年龄效应提供了新的证据，并揭示了不同运动项目之间以及项目内部的差异。基于适者生存和进化的概念，对这些发现的潜在解释进行了探讨，并阐述了其对未来研究和实际应用的启示。
