engleski

Age effects among elite male gymnasts

Chronological age is a discussable theme in artistic gymnastics for years ; relative age effect is a worldwide phenomenon described as the consequences of age variations between individuals competing in the same cohort. Both factors become very complex when seen through the late maturation of male gymnasts and complexity and longevity of learning processes in artistic gymnastics. The study analyzed the impact of chronological age and relative age effect among the elite male gymnasts who participated in All-Around Finals and in Event Finals at all Olympic Games held from 1980 to 2016. Results determined how analyzed finalists were generally in their twenties. Still ring finalists have been identified as the oldest apparatus finalists ; significantly older than the All-Around and floor finalists. A significant difference was found in the number of gymnast born in a particular month (most male finalists were born in January and September) ; significant differences were not found in percent of male gymnasts born in a certain quarter and half of the year. The conclusion was that RAE is not present in elite male gymnastics. Further, date of birth probably is not, but a year of birth could be, one of the criteria in the selection of potential top gymnasts.

men's artistic gymnastics, chronological age, relative age effect, all-around finalists, apparatus finalists

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