a Physical Education & Sport Sciences Department , University of Limerick , Limerick , Ireland.
b Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation , Northumbria University , Newcastle upon Tyne , UK.
J Sports Sci. 2018 Oct;36(20):2282-2288. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2018.1449093. Epub 2018 Mar 7.
The relative age effect (RAE) is a common phenomenon in youth sport, whereby children born early in the selection year are more likely to experience success and to sustain participation. There is a lack of research investigating variables which influence RAEs within track and field athletics. Such information is vital to guide policies in relation to competition structure, youth development squads and coach education. A database of competition results was analysed to determine the extent to which RAEs were present in track and field athletics in the United Kingdom. Subsequent analyses examined whether age, sex, event and skill level influenced the RAE. Examination of 77,571 records revealed that RAEs were widespread, but most pronounced during Under 13 (U13) competitions; that is, during athletes' first exposure to formal track and field competition. Sex, event and skill level further influenced the existence and magnitude of RAEs at different age grades. Relative age is a key influencing factor within track and field athletics, especially at the youngest age category. Consequently, national governing bodies need to consider what administrative and stakeholder initiatives are necessary to minimise the effects of RAEs on young athletes' early experiences of competition.
相对年龄效应（RAE）是青少年体育运动中的一种常见现象，即在选拔年度中较早出生的孩子更有可能取得成功并保持参与度。目前缺乏研究调查影响田径运动中 RAE 的变量。这些信息对于指导与比赛结构、青年发展队和教练教育有关的政策至关重要。分析了一个比赛成绩数据库，以确定英国田径运动中 RAE 的程度。随后的分析研究了年龄、性别、项目和技能水平是否影响 RAE。对 77571 份记录的审查表明，RAE 普遍存在，但在 13 岁以下（U13）比赛中最为明显；也就是说，这是运动员首次接触正式田径比赛。性别、项目和技能水平进一步影响了不同年龄组 RAE 的存在和程度。相对年龄是田径运动中的一个关键影响因素，尤其是在最小的年龄类别中。因此，国家管理机构需要考虑采取哪些行政和利益相关者的举措来尽量减少 RAE 对年轻运动员早期比赛经历的影响。
