TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring the existence, strength, and independence of relative age and maturation selection biases
T2 - a case study in Gaelic football talent development programmes
AU - Fitzgerald, F.
AU - Campbell, M.
AU - Kearney, P. E.
AU - Cumming, S.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Background: Biological maturity and relative age player selection biases are well documented in youth sports. However, there has been limited examination of the relationship between these biases. Aim: This study investigated the presence, strength, and independence of relative age and biological maturity selection biases in Gaelic football. Subjects and methods: A total of 247 male players from U14 to U16, from two talent academies were assessed for relative age (decimal age (DA)) and biological maturity (discrepancy between biological and chronological age (BA-CA)). Results: Relative age effects (RAE) were observed in the U14 (DA = 0.62, d = 0.40) and U15 squads (DA = 0.57. d = 0.26) only. A bias towards advanced maturity status was present at U14 (BA-CA = 0.60, d = 0.83), U15 (BA-CA = 0.78, d = 0.89), and U16 (BA-CA, d = 1.01). There was a trivial (U14, r(83) = −0.210; U15, r(88) = 0.060) and low (U16, r(76) = 0.352) correlation between relative age and maturity status. Conclusion: Substantial maturity selection biases and, to a lesser degree, relative age biases are evident in youth Gaelic football. Critically, these biases are independent constructs. Coaches and policy makers should be educated on the distinct influences of relative age and maturation, and on strategies to address these biases.
AB - Background: Biological maturity and relative age player selection biases are well documented in youth sports. However, there has been limited examination of the relationship between these biases. Aim: This study investigated the presence, strength, and independence of relative age and biological maturity selection biases in Gaelic football. Subjects and methods: A total of 247 male players from U14 to U16, from two talent academies were assessed for relative age (decimal age (DA)) and biological maturity (discrepancy between biological and chronological age (BA-CA)). Results: Relative age effects (RAE) were observed in the U14 (DA = 0.62, d = 0.40) and U15 squads (DA = 0.57. d = 0.26) only. A bias towards advanced maturity status was present at U14 (BA-CA = 0.60, d = 0.83), U15 (BA-CA = 0.78, d = 0.89), and U16 (BA-CA, d = 1.01). There was a trivial (U14, r(83) = −0.210; U15, r(88) = 0.060) and low (U16, r(76) = 0.352) correlation between relative age and maturity status. Conclusion: Substantial maturity selection biases and, to a lesser degree, relative age biases are evident in youth Gaelic football. Critically, these biases are independent constructs. Coaches and policy makers should be educated on the distinct influences of relative age and maturation, and on strategies to address these biases.
KW - Gaelic games
KW - growth
KW - maturation
KW - relative age effect
KW - talent identification
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85194717148&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/03014460.2024.2349040
DO - 10.1080/03014460.2024.2349040
M3 - Article
C2 - 38809024
AN - SCOPUS:85194717148
SN - 0301-4460
VL - 51
SP - 2349040
JO - Annals of Human Biology
JF - Annals of Human Biology
IS - 1
M1 - 2349040
ER -