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Prevalence and Impact of the Relative Age Effect on Competition Performance in Swimming: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Jorge Lorenzo-Calvo

    (Departamento de Deportes, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte—INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Martín Fierro, 728040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Alfonso de la Rubia

    (Departamento de Deportes, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte—INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Martín Fierro, 728040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Daniel Mon-López

    (Departamento de Deportes, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte—INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Martín Fierro, 728040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Monica Hontoria-Galán

    (Departamento de Deportes, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte—INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Martín Fierro, 728040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Moises Marquina

    (Departamento de Deportes, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte—INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Martín Fierro, 728040 Madrid, Spain)

  • Santiago Veiga

    (Departamento de Deportes, Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte—INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, C/Martín Fierro, 728040 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to examine the prevalence of the relative age effect (RAE) in swimming and its impact on competition performance according to different types of interacting constraints. A systematic literature search, following the PRISMA guidelines for preparing systematic reviews, was performed through four electronic databases, and nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The quality of the selected studies was evaluated using STROBE, and an average score of 16.2 points was obtained. In these studies, the prevalence of the RAE in swimming was observed in more than half (58.65%) of the participants analysed, and the effect of the RAE was more accentuated in young categories (decreased as age increased and was inverted in older ones) and in male swimmers (double that in female swimmers).The impact of the RAE on competitive performance appeared to be related to the strength demands of the event, as the performance in simultaneous strokes, in shorter events, and of swimmers in the postadolescence period seems to be more affected by the RAE. These results indicate that the RAE in competitive swimming relies on individual and environmental (the swimmer’s age group and gender) but also task (the competitive events) determinants or limitations. This should serve as a guide for a more effective design of selection and development procedures for young athletes.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge Lorenzo-Calvo & Alfonso de la Rubia & Daniel Mon-López & Monica Hontoria-Galán & Moises Marquina & Santiago Veiga, 2021. "Prevalence and Impact of the Relative Age Effect on Competition Performance in Swimming: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-19, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:20:p:10561-:d:652145
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maresa Sprietsma, 2010. "Effect of relative age in the first grade of primary school on long-term scholastic results: international comparative evidence using PISA 2003," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 18(1), pages 1-32.
    2. William Hurley & Dan Lior & Steven Tracze, 2001. "A Proposal to Reduce the Age Discrimination in Canadian Minor Hockey," Canadian Public Policy, University of Toronto Press, vol. 27(1), pages 65-75, March.
    3. Alfonso de la Rubia Riaza & Jorge Lorenzo Calvo & Daniel Mon-López & Alberto Lorenzo, 2020. "Impact of the Relative Age Effect on Competition Performance in Basketball: A Qualitative Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-31, November.
    4. Brander James A. & Egan Edward J. & Yeung Louisa, 2014. "Estimating the effects of age on NHL player performance," Journal of Quantitative Analysis in Sports, De Gruyter, vol. 10(2), pages 241-259, June.
    5. Daniel Mon-López & Carlos M. Tejero-González & Alfonso de la Rubia Riaza & Jorge Lorenzo Calvo, 2020. "Pistol and Rifle Performance: Gender and Relative Age Effect Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-10, February.
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