The influence of age-policy changes on the relative age effect across the Australian Rules football talent pathway

(Der Einfluss von altersbezogenen Änderungen auf den relativen Alterseffekt im Rahmen des Australian Rules Football Talent Pathway.)

Objectives: To identify the influence of age-policy changes on the relative age effect (RAE) across the Australian Football League (AFL) talent pathway. Design: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of junior AFL players attending the National Draft (National), State, and State Under 16s (U16) combines between 1999-2016. Methods: Birth-date data was obtained for players attending the AFL State U16 (n = 663, age: 15.9 ± 0.4 years), State (n = 803, age: 19.1 ± 1.7 years), National (n = 1111, age: 18.3 ± 0.8 years) combines. Corresponding aged-matched Australian general population birth rate data was also collected. Results: A chi-squared analysis comparing birth month distributions found all combine groups differed significantly from the general population (Under 16s: ?2 = 62.61, State: ?2 = 38.83, National: ?2 = 129.13, p < 0.001). Specifically, Under 16s had greater birth frequencies for months January to March (=2%, p < 0.05), with more State players born in January (4.9%, p < 0.05). Age-policy changes at the National level reduced birth distribution bias for some months, however the RAE remained for March, June and July (3.9%, 6.1%, 4.3%, p < 0.05). State U16s and National players had 2-9% lower birth frequencies for November-December births compared general population. Conclusions: Selection bias exists towards older players is present at the AFL`s State U16, and is maintained at State and National level combines. Age-policy changes are only partially successful at addressing the RAE at the National level, with alternative strategies also recommended in order to address the RAE across the AFL talent pathways. ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR
© Copyright 2018 Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. Elsevier. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

Schlagworte: American Football Australien langfristiger Leistungsaufbau Alter Auswahl System Relativer Alterseffekt
Notationen: Biowissenschaften und Sportmedizin Spielsportarten Nachwuchssport
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.03.008
Veröffentlicht in: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
Veröffentlicht: 2018
Jahrgang: 21
Heft: 10
Seiten: 1106-1111
Dokumentenarten: Artikel
Sprache: Englisch
Level: hoch