RT Journal Article
T1 The relative age effect on physical fitness in preschool children.
A1 Cupeiro, Rocio
A1 Rojo-Tirado, Miguel A
A1 Cadenas-Sanchez, Cristina
A1 Artero, Enrique G
A1 Peinado, Ana B
A1 Labayen, Idoia
A1 Dorado, Cecilia
A1 Arias-Palencia, Natalia M
A1 Moliner-Urdiales, Diego
A1 Vidal-Conti, Josep
A1 Conde-Caveda, Julio
A1 Mora-Gonzalez, Jose
A1 Vicente-Rodriguez, German
A1 Benito, Pedro J
K1 Muscular strength
K1 RAE
K1 Balance
K1 Cardiorespiratory fitness
K1 Preschoolers
K1 Speed-agility
AB The aim of the present study was to investigate the existence of a relative age effect (RAE) on physical fitness of preschoolers. Anthropometry and physical fitness were assessed in 3147 children (3-5 years old) using the PREFIT battery. Based on the birth year, participants were divided into 3year groups (3-, 4- and 5-years). Within each year group, 4quarter groups were created: quarter 1, preschoolers born from January to March; quarter 2, from April to June; quarter 3, from July to September; quarter 4, from October to December. The MANCOVA analysis revealed a main effect of year group (Wilks' λ = 0.383; F10,5996 = 369.64; p < 0.001, ηp 2 = 0.381) and of quarter (Wilks’ λ = 0.874; F15,8276.6 = 27.67; p < 0.001; ηp 2 = 0.044) over the whole battery of tests. To the best of 30 our knowledge, this is the first study to report the existence of RAE at the preschool stage. In general, performance improved as the relative age increased (i.e.,©those born in quarter 1 performed better than those in the other quarters). Individualization strategies should be addressed within the same academic year not only in elementary or secondary years©but also in preschoolers.
PB Routledge
YR 2020
FD 2020-03-04
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10668/15394
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10668/15394
LA en
NO Cupeiro R, Rojo-Tirado MA, Cadenas-Sanchez C, Artero EG, Peinado AB, Labayen I, et al. The relative age effect on physical fitness in preschool children. J Sports Sci. 2020 Jul;38(13):1506-1515
DS RISalud
RD Apr 20, 2025