ABSTRACT
FC Barcelona is a multi-sport organization that adopts a talent identification approach that emphasizes the technical, psychological, and perceptual-cognitive attributes. It is unclear within this type of sporting selection model whether the relative age effect (RAE) exists. Consequently, the aim of the study was to evaluate the RAE across multiple sports and age groups at FC Barcelona. The birthdates of all players (n = 6,542) affiliated to each sport [male basketball (n = 1,013), male (n = 3,012) and female (n = 449) soccer, male futsal (n = 761), male handball (n = 999), and male indoor roller hockey (n = 308)] across all age groups from U10 to Senior were recorded. These were then categorized into quartiles from the start of the selection year (Q1 = Jan-Mar; Q2 = Apr-Jun; Q3 = Jul-Sep; Q4 = Oct-Dec) and analyzed for (a) each sport; (b) each age group, irrespective of the sport; and (c) each age group within each sport, using Chi-squared statistics and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Birthdates across the entire club revealed a RAE (Q1 = 46.1%, Q2 = 27.1%, Q3 = 17.1%, and Q4 = 9.7%, χ2 = 29.8, P < 0.01), with OR in Q1, Q2, and Q3 representing a 4.76 (95% CIs: 1.96-11.57), 2.80 (1.12-7.03), and 1.77 (0.67-4.63) increased likelihood for selection when compared to Q4, respectively. Despite FC Barcelona's approach to talent identification and development, the RAE was still present within youth age groups (<18 years old). The current findings provide support that the RAE is more prevalent within regionally popular sports and reduces with increasing age; however, given the talent identification processes within FC Barcelona's sporting model, additional factors beyond the physical attributes, such as enhanced psychological and perceptual-cognitive attributes, in those born earlier in the selection year might further influence the RAE. Consequently, current results provide indirect evidence to suggest that sociological and psychological determinants might be a greater influence on the presence of RAE in sporting environments that prefer to consider technical and perceptual-cognitive attributes in their talent development programs.
ABSTRACT
Este estudio analiza la respuesta que tienen los futbolistas profesionales de diferentes niveles competitivos a los estímulos de entrenamiento y competición, así como su relación con en el rendimiento en partido. Un total de 20 jugadores de nivel Élite (Premier League-1º División Inglesa) y 22 jugadores de nivel Sub-élite (Championship Division -2º División Inglesa) tomaron parte en el estudio. Individualmente se monitorizó la carga de entrenamiento a través del % frecuencia cardiaca máxima (%FCmax), tiempo de entrenamiento según intensidades y la percepción subjetivo del esfuerzo (PSE), así como la carga de competición mediante el sistema multi-cámara ProZone® durante toda la segunda vuelta de la liga en ambos equipos. La PSE, %FCmax y la distancia recorrida en entrenamiento, así como la distancia cubierta en partido oficial fueron significativamente inferiores (p < .05) en los jugadores Élite. La PSE, un indicador valido para estimar la carga física y psicológica de los jugadores, correlacionó significativamente (p < .05) con el propio rendimiento condicional de entrenamiento y competición. La distancia cubierta en partido oficial fue significativamente superior (p < .05) cuando obtuvieron victorias en sus encuentros. Los resultados de este estudio sugieren que los futbolistas de clase mundial soportan una menor carga de entrenamiento y competición, apoyándose en mayor medida en sus habilidades técnico-tácticas (AU)
This study analyses the response of professional soccer players of different competitive levels to competition and training stimuli, together with the latters relationship with performance during matches. A total of 20 Elite players (Premier League) and 22 Sub-elite players (Championship Division) took part in the study. The training load for each player was monitored by measuring the % maximum heart rate (% HRmax), training time at different intensities, rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and competition load through the ProZone® multi-camera tracking system during the second round of the league for both teams. The RPE, % HRmax, training distance and distance covered during the official match were significantly lower (p < .05) in the case of the Elite players. The RPE - a valid method of estimating the players' physical and psychological load - was significantly correlated (p < .05) with the recorded physical performance during training and competition. The total distance covered during the competition was significantly higher (p < .05) for both teams when they won their matches. The results of this study suggest that world-class soccer players have a lower training and competition load, relying more on their technical and tactical skills (AU)
