Female relative age effects and the second-quartile phenomenon in young female ice hockey players |
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| Institution: | 1. School of Sport, Rehabilitation, and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, England, UK;2. University of Birmingham, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, West Midlands, England, UK;1. 101b Stong College School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3P 1J3, Canada;2. Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Room BN 327, 55 Harbord Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2W6, Canada;3. A366 MacLaurin Building, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 3N4, Canada;4. 310 Stong College School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Ontario M3P 1J3, Canada;1. Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada;2. The University of Queensland, Australia |
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| Abstract: | ObjectivesRelative age effects exist across sports and cultures (Cobley, Baker, Wattie, & McKenna, 2009), though a recent, unusual trend is females born in the second quartile of the selection year are most over-represented on elite teams. The first purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the second-quartile phenomenon was the result of first-quartile female athletes registering to play male sport. Due to the nature of the collected data, a secondary purpose was to examine relative age effects across female age divisions.DesignCross-sectional, with multiple chi-square analyses.MethodPlayers included 29,924 female ice hockey players (ages 7–17 years) from the Ontario Hockey Federation. Birthdates were converted into quartiles following the Hockey Canada selection year.ResultsRelative age effects (with the second quartile most over-represented) existed for the entire sample (χ2 3, 29923] = 401.95, p < 0.001), those registered for female ice hockey (χ2 3, 24984] = 369.90, p < 0.001) and those registered for male ice hockey (χ2 3, 4938] = 37.88, p < 0.001). The strength of the effect lessened as athletes aged.ConclusionIt appears the second-quartile phenomenon cannot be explained by athletes’ choice to play male sport. Further, female relative age effects appear strongest at younger ages. The discussion includes integration of results with previous literature, along with plausible explanations. |
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| Keywords: | Birthdate Participation Birth rate distribution Female sport |
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