Playing position influences the relative age effect in senior rugby union

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Abstract

Objective To establish whether playing position influenced the existence of the relative age effect (RAE) in senior rugby union. Summary of facts and results The birth dates and playing position of 1991 senior French rugby union players registered during the 2014/15 season were obtained from an on-line statistics database. The distribution of player births was compared with the distribution of births in the general French population across the period in question. Results indicated that a RAE existed for forwards but not backline players. Back row forwards in particular showed a pronounced RAE. Conclusion The existence of the RAE within senior French rugby union is influenced by player position.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)114-116
Number of pages3
JournalScience and Sports
Volume32
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Birth date
  • Team sport

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