The Relative Age Phenomenon in Sport: A Replication and Extension with Ice-Hockey Players

1994 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques L. Boucher ◽  
Brian T. P. Mutimer
Keyword(s):  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Hockey Players

scholarly journals Youth Developmental Experiences Among Female Hockey Players: The Role of Relative Age

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 83-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Chittle ◽  
Jess C. Dixon ◽  
Sean Horton
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Developmental Experiences ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Hockey Players ◽  
Wilks Lambda ◽  
Experience Survey ◽  
The Impact

Relative age differences can lead to varying sport participation opportunities; however, scant research has focused on the impact of relative age on experiences within sport. This study explored if youth developmental experiences differed by relative age among competitive female ice hockey players. Players within Ontario (n = 264) completed an online survey that contained the Youth Experience Survey for Sport (YES-S) along with additional demographic questions. The YES-S measures 5 dimensions of positive (i.e., personal and social skills, cognitive skills, goal setting, and initiative) and negative developmental experiences in sport. The results of the multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) suggested that the developmental experiences reported by athletes did not differ across birth quartiles (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.940, F (15, 707.105) = 1.061, p = .390). Although there was a relative age effect (RAE) trend within this sample of competitive female ice hockey players, the differences across birth quartiles were not statistically significant. It appears that relative age does not result in youth having different positive and negative sporting experiences. Exploring the characteristics of sport environments (e.g., coaches, practices) and personality traits of competitive athletes to better understand how relatively younger athletes continue their participation in sport despite being at a perceived disadvantage warrants further investigation.

Investigating the relationship between the relative age effect and leadership behaviors among male ice hockey players

2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 751-768
Author(s):  
Laura Chittle ◽  
Sean Horton ◽  
Patricia Weir ◽  
Jess C Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Leadership Behaviors ◽  
Relative Weight ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Hockey Players ◽  
Weight Analysis ◽  
Male House

This study examined the role of relative age on leadership behaviors among male house league ice hockey players. Athletes completed an online survey that solicited their birthdate along with their responses to the leadership scale for sport. As expected, the results of our analyses revealed no relative age effects. Captains scored significantly higher on the training and instruction, democratic behavior and social support dimensions of the leadership scale for sport. While there were significant multivariate differences between birth quartile and the dimensions of leadership, a relative weight analysis revealed that quartile of birth did not differ significantly on any of these dimensions. Thus, male house league hockey players are not (dis)advantaged in terms of their leadership behaviors as a consequence of relative age.

Relative Age Effects in Women’s Ice Hockey: Contributions of Body Size and Maturity Status

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 124-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina A. Geithner ◽  
Claire E. Molenaar ◽  
Tommy Henriksson ◽  
Anncristine Fjellman-Wiklund ◽  
Kajsa Gilenstam
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Age Effects ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Age At Menarche ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Hockey Players

Research on relative age effects (RAEs) in women’s ice hockey is lacking data on participant characteristics, particularly body size and maturity status. The purposes of our study were to investigate RAEs in women’s ice hockey players from two countries, and to determine whether RAE patterns could be explained by chronological age, body size, and maturity status. Participants were 54 Swedish elite and 63 Canadian university players. Birthdates were coded by quartiles (Q1–Q4). Weight and height were obtained, and body mass index and chronological age were calculated for each player. Players recalled age at menarche, and maturity status was classified as early, average, or late relative to population-specific means. Chi-square (χ2), odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI) and effect sizes (Cohen’sw) were calculated using population data across quartiles and for pairwise comparisons between quartiles. Descriptive statistics and MANOVAs were run by quartile and by country. Significant RAEs were found for Canadian players across quartiles (p < .05), along with a Q2 phenomenon (Q2: Q3, Q2: Q4,p < .05). Swedish players were overrepresented in Q3 (Q3: Q4,p < .05). Q4 was significantly underrepresented in both countries (p < .05). The oldest, earliest maturing, and shortest players in both countries were clustered in Q2, whereas the next oldest and latest maturing Swedish players were found in Q3. Age, physical factors, and interactions may contribute to overrepresentations in Q2 and Q3. These findings do not suggest the same bias for greater relative age and maturity found in male ice hockey.

scholarly journals The Relative Age Effect at the Ice Hockey World Championships (IHWC) in the years 2015–2017

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 150-159
Author(s):  
Jiří Nykodým ◽  
Michal Bozděch ◽  
Adrián Agricola ◽  
Jiří Zháněl
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Size Analysis ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Hockey Players ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Significant Probability ◽  
Research Show

Abstract The relative age effect (RAE) theory is based on the premise that athletes born in the first months of the calendar year have a significant probability of a higher level of physiological, morphological and psychological abilities compared to later-born athletes. The aim of our study was to verify the influence of the RAE on adult ice hockey players, specifically Ice Hockey World Championships’ (IHWC) participants in the years 2015−2017 (n = 1,200). Based on the chi-squared (χ2) analysis, the influence of the RAE during the 2015−2017 period could not be rejected for all observed players (χ2 = 54.6, p < 0.01, w = 0.21) or for all the players for particular years (2015, 2016, and 2017; p < 0.01). During the monitored period (2015−2017), the RAE could not be rejected for any player’s position (forward, defender, or goaltender). Based on the effect size analysis (Cohen’s w), the strongest RAE was observed among goaltenders (w = 0.31), then forwards (w = 0.24) and finally defenders (w = 0.15). The assessment of player’s positions in particular years showed statistical significance for goaltenders only in 2015 (χ2 = 11.3, p < 0.05). With regard to forwards, significance was confirmed for 2015 (χ2 = 8.5, p < 0.05), 2016 (χ2 = 15.2, p < 0.01) and 2017 (χ2 = 14.3, p < 0.01). Therefore, the presence of the RAE could not be rejected for all these cases. The results of the research show that members of national teams in the years 2015−2017 were players who were chronologically older, which is consistent with the results of other authors addressing the RAE.

Relative Age and Fast Tracking of Elite Major Junior ICE Hockey Players

2007 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 702-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren B. Sherar ◽  
Mark W. Bruner ◽  
Krista J. Munroe-Chandler ◽  
Adam D. G. Baxter-Jones
Keyword(s):  
Fast Track ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Elite Sport ◽  
Young Athletes ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Fast Tracking ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Hockey Players

Investigations in a variety of chronologically grouped team sports have reported that elite young athletes were more likely born in the early months of the selection year, a phenomenon known as the relative age effect. The present study investigated the birth dates and developmental paths of 238 (15 to 20 years old) Major Junior ‘A’ hockey players from the Ontario Hockey League to determine if a relative age effect still exists in elite junior hockey and if the path to elite sport was accelerated (i.e., fast tracked). The results identified a relative age effect in elite hockey although it is only apparent among individuals who fast track.

scholarly journals Examining the Role of Relative Age on Leadership Behaviours among Female Ice Hockey Players: An Exploratory Investigation

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 22-42
Author(s):  
Laura Chittle ◽  
Sean Horton ◽  
Jess C. Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Leadership Behaviors ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Population Distributions ◽  
Exploratory Investigation ◽  
Hockey Players ◽  
Informal Leaders

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of relative age on self-reported leadership behaviors among competitive female ice hockey players. Secondary purposes included examining whether a relative age effect (RAE) was present within the sample and if leadership behaviors differed according to leader status (i.e., formal versus informal leaders). Canadian female ice hockey players (ages 15-18 years) completed an online survey that contained the Leadership Scale for Sport along with additional demographic questions. Players were segmented into birth quartiles based upon Hockey Canada’s selection date and classified by leadership status. The MANOVA suggested that the frequency of leadership behaviors displayed by these athletes did not differ across birth quartiles. Furthermore, although there was a RAE trend within this sample of competitive female ice hockey players, the differences relative to population distributions were not statistically significant. Finally, formal leaders (i.e., captains/alternate captains) reported higher levels of social support, positive feedback, democratic behavior, and training and instruction than informal leaders. It appears that relative age is not a discriminating factor with respect to leadership behaviors. Competitive female ice hockey may be an avenue for all players, regardless of their date of birth, to develop and demonstrate leadership.

scholarly journals Exploring the relationship between the relative age effect and youth development among male house league ice hockey players

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Chittle ◽  
Sean Horton ◽  
Patti Weir ◽  
Jess Charles Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Developmental Experiences ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Relative Age Effect ◽  
Hockey Players ◽  
On Line ◽  
Experience Survey ◽  
Male House

The current study examined if relative age influences the youth developmental experiences of male house league ice hockey players. Participants completed an on-line survey that solicited their date of birth and responses to the Youth Experience Survey for Sport (YES-S). Our analysis revealed no relative age effect among the house league hockey players. The MANOVA results revealed no significant multivariate differences between quartile of birth and the five YES-S dimensions (p = .493). It is reassuring that the experiences of the house league ice hockey players in our sample do not differ in their developmental experiences as a consequence of when they were born throughout the selection year.

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