The study of relative age effects on weightlifting athletes in U15 and youth age groups

Abstract

Within the sporting scope, the relative age effects refer to the possible advantages of participation and performance of athletes born in the first months of the year of selection in relation to others within the same age groups. The aim of this study was to investigate the relative age effects by comparing athletes in different body weight categories in the Under 15 (U-15) and youth age group athletes (males and females) in weightlifting. By using retrospective competition data from the Turkish Weightlifting Federation database, a total of 954 Olympic-style weightlifters (U15 and Youth age groups), 605 males and 349 females), who competed in the Turkish Weightlifting Championships between 2018 and 2019, were included in this study. The data on the birthdates of the athletes were divided into four quarters. The athletes were divided into three subset weight classes. The data were analyzed using the chi-square test. In males, the relative age effects were determined in lightweight athletes in the under 15 age group (χ²(3)= 10.00, p< .05), in lightweight athletes in the youth age group (χ²(3)= 10.83, p< .05), in middleweight category (χ²(3)= 14.09, p< .01) and heavyweight category (χ²(3)= 12.96, p< .01). However, relative age effects were not present in the female under 15 age group (p>.05). It can be stated that weightlifting athletes, under 15 age and youth age groups (except youth females), born in the first quarter of the year have a higher chance of success in athletic performance.