Examining the relationship between relative age, competition level, and dropout rates in male youth ice-hockey players

Abstract

The relative age effect suggests that athletes born in the first two quartiles of a given selection year experience a selection advantage and therefore a greater opportunity for success. We describe two studies examining the relationship between relative age, competition level, and dropout rates of Ontario Minor Hockey Association male ice-hockey players from ages 10 to 15 years (n=14325). In Study 1, dropout was highest among players born in quartiles three and four [χ2(3)=16.32, P<0.05; w=0.06], while Study 2 found dropped out players to have less movement between competition levels compared to retained players. This study confirms a relationship between relative age and dropout from ice-hockey and adds further depth to our understanding of this persistent phenomenon.