Introduction: A clear relative age effect (RAE) has been reported in handball, based on players birth distribution both within (month of birth) and between (odd vs. even year of birth) competitive seasons (1,2,3). Moreover, this RAE effect was playing position-dependent (1,2,3). However, classical RAE analyses (i.e., players distribution within a team roster) don`t consider the actual playing time during competitions, which may have actually more impact on matches performance. The objective of the present study was to examine the between- and within-year RAE on playing time during international competitions with respect to playing positions. Methods: Team compositions (477 players) of the quarter finalists of 2013 World championship, 2012 Olympic tournament and 2014 European championship were analyzed. Month and year of birth where collected in the starting list of each team for center, left and right backs, left and right wings, goalkeepers and pivots. Players were categorized into birth quartile (Q1 Jan-Mar; Q2 Apr-Jun; Q3 Jul-Sep; and Q4 Oct-Dec) and as odd/even year. Playing times were retrieved from official statistics. Data were analyzed for practical significance using magnitude-based inferences (4). Results: There were no clear difference in playing time between players born in odd (44±22%) and even years when all players were polled together, as well as for left wings (51±27%), center backs (47±18%), goalkeepers (47±26%) and pivots (38±20%). Backs (right: 40±23%, left: 40±22%) and right wings (43±21%) born during even years played possibly slightly more than their younger counter parts. Pivots (44.3±23.3%), left (66.4±20.2%) and right (52.6±19%) wings born in Q3 were likely-to almost-likely to play slightly-to-largely more than player born in the other quarters. Goalkeepers (59±28%), left (43±21%) and center (51±14%) backs born in Q4 played likely-to very likely substantially more than their older counter parts. Right backs (52±24%) born in Q1 played likely substantially more than their younger counterparts. Discussion: Despite the strong RAE observed in male elite international handball which promotes players born earlier during even years (3), playing times were only slightly affected by players` year and month of birth, and for some playing positions only. We found however an unexpected trend for a reversed monthly-related RAE on playing time (i.e., Q3>Q1).
© Copyright 2014 19th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Amsterdam, 2. - 5. July 2014. Veröffentlicht von VU University Amsterdam. Alle Rechte vorbehalten. / Übersetzt mit https://www.DeepL.com/Translator