Exploring the existence, strength, and independence of relative age and maturation selection biases: a case study in Gaelic football talent development programmes

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 maturi...

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Main Authors: F. Fitzgerald, M. Campbell, P. E. Kearney, S. Cumming
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Annals of Human Biology
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/03014460.2024.2349040
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author F. Fitzgerald
M. Campbell
P. E. Kearney
S. Cumming
author_facet F. Fitzgerald
M. Campbell
P. E. Kearney
S. Cumming
author_sort F. Fitzgerald
collection DOAJ
description 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.
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spelling doaj-art-eec997d8a2054bd7948d23a82fd691d92024-12-26T09:21:16ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAnnals of Human Biology0301-44601464-50332024-12-0151110.1080/03014460.2024.2349040Exploring the existence, strength, and independence of relative age and maturation selection biases: a case study in Gaelic football talent development programmesF. Fitzgerald0M. Campbell1P. E. Kearney2S. Cumming3Department of Health and Leisure, Munster Technological University Kerry, Tralee, IrelandDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Sport & Human Performance Research Centre, Limerick, IrelandDepartment of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Sport & Human Performance Research Centre, Limerick, IrelandDepartment for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United KingdomBackground 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.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/03014460.2024.2349040Gaelic gamesgrowthmaturationtalent identificationrelative age effect
spellingShingle F. Fitzgerald
M. Campbell
P. E. Kearney
S. Cumming
Exploring the existence, strength, and independence of relative age and maturation selection biases: a case study in Gaelic football talent development programmes
Annals of Human Biology
Gaelic games
growth
maturation
talent identification
relative age effect
title Exploring the existence, strength, and independence of relative age and maturation selection biases: a case study in Gaelic football talent development programmes
title_full Exploring the existence, strength, and independence of relative age and maturation selection biases: a case study in Gaelic football talent development programmes
title_fullStr Exploring the existence, strength, and independence of relative age and maturation selection biases: a case study in Gaelic football talent development programmes
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the existence, strength, and independence of relative age and maturation selection biases: a case study in Gaelic football talent development programmes
title_short Exploring the existence, strength, and independence of relative age and maturation selection biases: a case study in Gaelic football talent development programmes
title_sort exploring the existence strength and independence of relative age and maturation selection biases a case study in gaelic football talent development programmes
topic Gaelic games
growth
maturation
talent identification
relative age effect
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/03014460.2024.2349040
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