Relative Age Effect (RAE) is a well-established phenomenon within sports science, describing a systematic advantage conferred on athletes born early in the selection year. This advantage, predominantly observed among youth athletes, stems from variations in physical maturity, cognitive development, and selection biases favoring older individuals. Despite extensive acknowledgment of RAE, the precise long-term consequences on athlete progression, competitive success, and psychological well-being remain relatively unexplored. Recent studies consistently demonstrate that these advantages can extend beyond youth sports, potentially influencing professional sports selection processes and shaping disparities in athletic opportunities. Researchers have begun examining the efficiency and fairness of current talent identification systems, highlighting their limitations in equitably assessing athletes of varying birth-related maturity stages. However, substantial gaps persist regarding how biological maturation timing interacts with selection methodologies to perpetuate or mitigate these disparities.This Research Topic aims to systematically investigate the prevalence and implications of RAE across diverse team and individual sports contexts, seeking enhanced understanding of how birthdate distribution, physical growth trajectories, and selection systems interact to influence athletes' careers. We aim to scrutinize existing theories underpinning RAE, evaluate its long-term impacts on athletic development pathways, and assess the effectiveness of contemporary talent identification and development practices. Additionally, we seek contributions exploring practical approaches to creating a more equitable sporting environment by addressing and reducing biases associated with relative age differences.To gather further insights in examining RAE's role within broad athletic contexts and practical interventions, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Theoretical frameworks and explanatory models of Relative Age Effect;- Investigations into long-term impacts of RAE on athlete career trajectories and performance outcomes;- Examination of current talent identification systems and their susceptibility to RAE-related biases;- Strategies and best practices in talent development aimed at creating fairer, equitable assessment frameworks;- Effective interventions and programs tailored to minimize or manage RAE across individual and team sports contexts.We particularly encourage submissions of original research articles, comprehensive systematic reviews, and meta-analyses providing significant contributions to these core themes.
Relative Age Effect (RAE) is a well-established phenomenon within sports science, describing a systematic advantage conferred on athletes born early in the selection year. This advantage, predominantly observed among youth athletes, stems from variations in physical maturity, cognitive development, and selection biases favoring older individuals. Despite extensive acknowledgment of RAE, the precise long-term consequences on athlete progression, competitive success, and psychological well-being remain relatively unexplored. Recent studies consistently demonstrate that these advantages can extend beyond youth sports, potentially influencing professional sports selection processes and shaping disparities in athletic opportunities. Researchers have begun examining the efficiency and fairness of current talent identification systems, highlighting their limitations in equitably assessing athletes of varying birth-related maturity stages. However, substantial gaps persist regarding how biological maturation timing interacts with selection methodologies to perpetuate or mitigate these disparities.This Research Topic aims to systematically investigate the prevalence and implications of RAE across diverse team and individual sports contexts, seeking enhanced understanding of how birthdate distribution, physical growth trajectories, and selection systems interact to influence athletes' careers. We aim to scrutinize existing theories underpinning RAE, evaluate its long-term impacts on athletic development pathways, and assess the effectiveness of contemporary talent identification and development practices. Additionally, we seek contributions exploring practical approaches to creating a more equitable sporting environment by addressing and reducing biases associated with relative age differences.To gather further insights in examining RAE's role within broad athletic contexts and practical interventions, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Theoretical frameworks and explanatory models of Relative Age Effect;- Investigations into long-term impacts of RAE on athlete career trajectories and performance outcomes;- Examination of current talent identification systems and their susceptibility to RAE-related biases;- Strategies and best practices in talent development aimed at creating fairer, equitable assessment frameworks;- Effective interventions and programs tailored to minimize or manage RAE across individual and team sports contexts.We particularly encourage submissions of original research articles, comprehensive systematic reviews, and meta-analyses providing significant contributions to these core themes.