Relative Age Effect in Brazilian water polo: analysis of male and female athletes from U16 to senior categories

ABSTRACT

Abstract Aim: To investigate the existence of relative age effect (RAE) in Brazilian water polo athletes according to sex and age category. Methods: The birthdate of 574 Brazilian water polo athletes were organized according to the athletes' birthdates into quarters of the year (Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4), and classified according to sex (male and female) and age category (U16, U18, U20, and senior). To verify the existence of RAE, the Chi-Square tests (χ2) were performed, and the effect sizes (ω) were calculated for each of the tests. We also calculated odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals, setting the level of significance to 0.05. As post hoc analysis, multiple comparisons between quarters were performed, with Bonferroni's correction (significance level set to 0.0083 in these cases). Results: The results indicated an uneven distribution of birthdates for male water polo athletes (χ2 = 12.257; p = 0.007; ω = 0.173), with an overrepresentation of athletes born in the first (p < 0.006) and second (p < 0.002) quarters. When sex and age category were considered, male athletes presented uneven distributions in U20 (χ2 = 10.747; p = 0.013; ω = 0.345) and senior (χ2= 12.614; p = 0.006; ω = 0.383) categories. In females, no differences were found. Conclusion: We conclude that there is an uneven distribution of birthdates in male Brazilian water polo athletes, indicating the presence of RAE in this group.