Exploring the relative age effect in Spanish beach volleyball players

Abstract

The relative age effect (RAE) is extensively investigated in sports. In general, it is believed that individuals who are born in the early months (e.g., January, February) have an advantage in competitions that divide the categories by the year of birth. However, this has not yet been investigated in beach volleyball, as well as the effect on athletes' role. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the influence of RAE in different age-groups categories and player roles within the Spanish beach volleyball context. Male and female players were classified and analyzed in terms of the population (athletes registered with a sport license at National Federation n=841), and the sample (athletes who participated in the 2016 National Championships in U14, U16, U19 and U21 categories -n=260-). The variables employed were the year, semester, quarter and trimester of birth, and the player role (blocker, defender or universal). In terms of population, a RAE was only observed in U19 male players with a lower proportion of athletes born in the last trimester of the year, and in the U16 female category with a higher proportion of athletes born in the second trimester of the year. Concerning the sample, a RAE was found in U14 female players born in the last year of the category (older players). In terms of the player role, a RAE was only found regarding male blockers. These findings indicate a short presence of RAE in the Spanish beach volleyball context, being not always related to the starting categories. These results can be taken into account by coaches and federations in order to create proper environments (competition rules) related to players’ characteristics, avoiding a standing out of players that could only be supported by the maturity process.