engleski

RELATIVE AGE EFFECT IN TOP LEVEL EUROPEAN SOCCER LEAGUES

The main objective of this study was to determine the existence of Relative Age Effect (RAE) across top level European soccer leagues. Birthdates from 5507 professional soccer players were collected. The collected data showed unequal distributions of birthdates with the over-representation of players born in first few months of the year and an under-representation of players born late in the year. There were significant differences between expected and observed frequencies for month and quarter distribution of birthdates. RAE remains problem for the large number of players born later in the selection year. Result maintain high on the importance list even in youth academies which ultimately favors players born in the first quarter or in the first half of the year. Consequently, there is potential for “talent loss” because of the extreme dropout of players born in the last quarter or in the second half of the year.

RAE, distribution, bias, talent identification, selection process

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