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Journals / Spor Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 36 Sayı: 3

Relative Age Effect in Weightlifting: An Evaluation on Athletes’ Age Categories and Performance

Halterde Bağıl Yaş Etkisi: Sporcuların Yaş Kategorileri ve Performansları Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme

Bekir Tokay(UŞAK ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SPOR BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ, BEDEN EĞİTİMİ VE SPOR BÖLÜMÜ)0000-0003-0059-0736
Yasin Akıncı(UŞAK ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SPOR BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0001-7604-3507
Pages
185–201
Publication Date
2025-09-05
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Overall, the study highlights the need to consider the impact of relative age when developing talent identification and athlete development programmes within weightlifting.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This aim of this study is to examine the Relative Age Effect (RAE) in weightlifting by analysing the distribution of athletes' birth months.
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Key Findings & Data:Data on birth dates and performance were collected for 3519 male and female athletes competing in the U15, Youth, Junior, and U23 categories at the European Weightlifting Championships between 2018 and 2023 (excluding 2020), sourced from the European Weightlifting Federation’s official records.
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Conclusion & Impact:Overall, the study highlights the need to consider the impact of relative age when developing talent identification and athlete development programmes within weightlifting.
🔬Design:Lab & Field Experiment
📍Scope:2018 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Bağıl yaş etkisi (BYE) · Doğum Ayı · Gençler

Abstract

This aim of this study is to examine the Relative Age Effect (RAE) in weightlifting by analysing the distribution of athletes' birth months. Data on birth dates and performance were collected for 3519 male and female athletes competing in the U15, Youth, Junior, and U23 categories at the European Weightlifting Championships between 2018 and 2023 (excluding 2020), sourced from the European Weightlifting Federation’s official records. Observed and expected distributions according to birth month were compared using the Pearson chi-square (χ²) test, while one-way ANOVA and Welch ANOVA were employed to assess the effects of birth month on total weight lifted and medal acquisition. The results revealed significant deviations from an even distribution, with a marked overrepresentation of athletes born in the first quarter of the year, indicating the presence of RAE. This pattern was particularly pronounced in the U15 and Junior categories. Analyses further demonstrated that birth month had a significant effect on total weight lifted in specific age and weight categories; however, no significant effect was found between birth month and medal attainment. These findings may indicate that weightlifters born in the earlier months of the year gain certain advantages in terms of representation and performance compared to their peers, primarily due to early developmental benefits. However, this situation does not singularly determine athletic success; rather, it can unjustly narrow the talent pool and potentially hinder long-term development. Furthermore, factors such as training duration, cumulative experience, and individual developmental trajectories also play a decisive role in shaping performance outcomes. Overall, the study highlights the need to consider the impact of relative age when developing talent identification and athlete development programmes within weightlifting.

Özet

Bu çalışmanın amacı, sporcuların doğum aylarının dağılımını analiz ederek halterdeki Bağıl Yaş Etkisini (BYE) incelemektir. 2018-2023 yılları arasında (2020 hariç) Avrupa Halter Şampiyonası'nda U15, Gençler, Yıldızlar ve U23 kategorilerinde yarışan 3519 erkek ve kadın sporcunun doğum tarihleri ve performanslarına ilişkin veriler, Avrupa Halter Federasyonu'nun resmi kayıtlarından elde edilmiştir. Doğum ayına göre gözlenen ve beklenen dağılımlar Pearson ki-kare (χ²) testi kullanılarak karşılaştırılırken, doğum ayının kaldırılan toplam ağırlık ve madalya kazanımı üzerindeki etkilerini değerlendirmek için tek yönlü ANOVA ve Welch ANOVA kullanıldı. Sonuçlar, yılın ilk çeyreğinde doğan sporcuların belirgin bir şekilde fazla temsil edilmesiyle, BYE'nin varlığına işaret ederek, eşit bir dağılımdan önemli sapmalar olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Bu örüntü özellikle U15 ve Gençler kategorilerinde belirgindi. Analizler ayrıca doğum ayının belirli yaş ve ağırlık kategorilerinde kaldırılan toplam ağırlık üzerinde önemli bir etkisi olduğunu göstermiştir; ancak doğum ayının madalya kazanımına anlamlı bir etkisi bulunmamıştır. Bu bulgular, halter sporunda yılın ilk aylarında doğan sporcuların, erken gelişim avantajları sayesinde temsil ve performans açısından akranlarına kıyasla belirli üstünlükler elde edebileceğini göstermektedir. Ancak bu durum, atletik başarıyı tek başına belirlemekten öte, yetenek havuzunun haksız bir şekilde daralmasına yol açarak uzun vadeli gelişimi olumsuz yönde etkileyebilmektedir. Ayrıca, antrenman süresi, kümülatif deneyim ve bireysel gelişim yörüngeleri gibi etmenler de performans sonuçlarının şekillenmesinde belirleyici rol oynamaktadır. Genel olarak bu çalışma, halterde yetenek belirleme ve sporcu geliştirme programları geliştirilirken bağıl yaşın etkisinin göz önünde bulundurulması gerektiğini vurgulamaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Tokay, B., Akıncı, Y. (2025). Relative Age Effect in Weightlifting: An Evaluation on Athletes’ Age Categories and Performance. Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 36 Sayı: 3, 185–201. https://doi.org/10.17644/sbd.1684807

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