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Why are athletes born earlier more successful than those born later? Explore the secrets of the relative age effect!
In sports and academia, the so-called Relative Age Effect (RAE) means that athletes or students born before the cutoff date in the selection process are more likely to receive a place than those born later. success. This deviation is evident in both youth sports and education, and the reasons for this phenomenon are complex and varied.
Relative age effects are due to the eligibility rule for date of birth, but are influenced by other factors of parents, coaches, and athletes.
Sports participation is generally broken down into annual age groups. The International Olympic Committee and several international football organizations typically set January 1 as an administrative deadline, which has a significant impact on the selection of athletes. Research shows that even trained athletes are often at a competitive disadvantage because of relative age effects.
Athletes born later may find it difficult to stand out in the selection competitions due to their relatively weaker physical development and competitive level, which leads to their higher retirement rate.
The root cause of the relative age effect lies in different physiological maturity. Athletes born early often outperform their later-born peers in height, strength and confidence. This physical advantage allows early-borns to perform well in competitions even if their skill levels are not high.
Influencing factors
In addition to physiological factors, psychological factors also play an important role in the relative age effect. The "Matthew Effect" in sociology refers to "the rich get richer and the poor get poorer." Similarly, those born earlier have more self-confidence and competitive experience in competitions, further consolidating their advantages. In contrast, the star paths of those born later receive less attention and importance; according to analysis, although the skills of those born later improve with age, the chances of retaining the skills they had in their youth are becoming fewer and fewer.
Strategies to reduce the relative age effect
Many approaches have been proposed to reduce the relative age effect, especially in youth sports. For example, adjusting exam deadlines, expanding age group ranges, and imposing quotas on players' dates of birth have all been discussed. However, the success rates of these methods vary, as biases may be shifted depending on the selection date.
The age effect is also evident in education, as older students perform better in academic achievement, but by the time they reach college, students born later in life may overtake them.
Implications for education and leadership
In academia, studies have found that older students in primary school generally receive higher grades in their studies and are more likely to attend top classes or colleges. This is because students who develop good habits early and have precocious learning abilities are able to gain more learning opportunities over a sustained period of time, whereas students born later who should be catching up are at a disadvantage due to the early competition.
Conclusion
In summary, the relative age effect is a topic worthy of in-depth exploration, affecting the success and performance of athletes, the academic achievement of students, and ultimately the impact in the workplace. Faced with this phenomenon, how can we effectively create a fair competition and growth environment for all children so that every child has the opportunity to stand out?
