The interaction of relative age with maturation and body size in female handball talent selection.

ABSTRACT: The relative age effects (RAEs) and biological maturation are two distinct factors that have been identified to affect talent identification and selection. Previous research has suggested that talent selection should include sport-specific technical tasks instead of body size and/or physical test measurements, assuming that the technical tasks are less influenced by variations in maturation. Our purpose was to examine the prevalence of RAEs and to assess biological maturity, body size, and body composition within a single talent selection program for female handball players. Team coaches' recommendations, handball-specific drills, and in-game performance were the selection criteria. Birth distribution of all U14 female handball players were analysed (N = 3198) grouped in two-year age cohor

SUBMITTER: Troznai Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11493251 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature