Reverse-Relative Age Effect on motor fitness of district level handball players of West

Bengal in course of talent hunting

Indrajit Sarkar, Shanti Ranjan Dasgupta, Kunal Sikder and Rupayan Bhattacharya*

RKMVE Research Institute, Belur, India

Abstract

In the present study the role of age on the anthropometric characteristics and physical
activities of several young handball players hailing from West Bengal has been undertaken to
find out players from different age groups with future potential. A total of sixty five (N=65)
male handball players with at least one year training were selected from different associations
of West Bengal, as subjects for this study. The subjects were divided in to three groups
according to their ages - i) under 15 (N = 25, Age = 13.27 ± 0.67), ii) under 17 (N = 20, Age
= 15.7 ± 0.47) and iii) under 19 (N = 20, Age = 16.86 ± 0.91). They were tested for: speed,
agility, power, positive work done, strength endurance and endurance. We found an anti-
correlation between age and motor fitness of junior level athletes and a better future prospect
of players of under 15 years age group. The reason could be their psychological motivation of
doing better contrary to the general idea that performance maturity of players develops with
age. A time- analysis is required for determining the anthropological characteristics in the
choice of quality level of physically and physiologically fit players.

Keywords: Handball, Relative Age Effect, Motor fitness, Agility, power

Introduction

Now handball game is played all over the world and it has become one of the most
popular ball games. As reported by Nikolaidis and Ingebrigtsen (2013) handball is played by
approximately 19 million players distributed over 800 thousand teams from 167 member
federations accredited by the International Handball Federation. In summer Olympics team
handball is played regularly. In this sport, body size, strength, endurance, speed and agility, in
*Corresponding author – Rupayan Bhattacharya, RKMVE Research Insitute, Belur, India;
E-mail: [email protected]
addition to technical skills are considered determining factors for successful participation at
elite levels (Gorostiaga, Granados, Ibanez, & Izquierdo, 2005; Mohamed et al., 2009).
Handball game is a high-intensity, high velocity, body contact game. . A score of different
approaches and models have been adopted to identify talent ( Pienaar, Spamer, & Steyn,
1998; Morris, 2000; Williams, 2000; Lidor et al., 2005; Vaeyens et al., 2006). This game
demands high aerobic and anaerobic fitness level. Good anthropometric and physical
structures of the participants are basic requirements for the handball players of different
playing positions in the game (Ronglan et al 2006), Marques and Gonzalez-Badillo, 2006;
Ingebrigtsen and Jeffreys, 2012; Buchheit et al., 2009; Ingebrigtsen et al., 2013). This
concept is clear from the available research on this issue (Lidor et al. 2005; Marques and
Gonzalez- Badillo, 2006; Gorostiaga et al., 2006, Ziv and Lidor, 2009). Hence,
anthropometric parameters, physical and motor test have been frequently used as fundamental
requirement in order to determine the performance in handball.
It has been observed that the relative age difference has a very important role in the
classification of players with future potential for handball game in particular and also in other
team sports. A Study by Fernandez et al (2004) regarding anthropometry, have demonstrated
that body composition could have an effect on the performance of the players. Granados et al.
(2007) have shown that due to higher values of fat-free mass (lean mass), a higher
performance could be seen among the quality handball players, especially because of the
increase in the muscular power and strength. In addition to the physical factors, different
motor skills can also be the decisive performance factors in the game (Srhoj et al 2006). On
the other hand, in a battery of tests to identify motor, physical and skill variables Lidor et al
(2005) have seen a wide overlap between the groups of selected and non-selected players
showing no preference for either of these two groups. However, some studies have reported
that wings were lighter and smaller when compared to players in other positions showing
utilities of younger players (Vila et al., 2011). These contradictory views warrant for in depth
scientific validation with more field data It is generally believed that for talent hunting RAE
(Relative Age Effect), which is a prevalent phenomenon observed in sports performance by
young people (Brustio et al., 2019) and is typified by a group of athletes born near the date of
selection showing more maturity, has an edge over other methods in selection process of
different sporting events. According to Matthys et al (2013) anthropometrical and
maturational characteristics are generally used by coaches to select players for specific field
positions. This strategy seems to them as risky since anthropometry and maturity status
change over the years. In the study of Mohamed et al (2009) it was shown that Under 16
handball players were significantly taller than the reference group. This was not observed in
the case in the Under 14 age group. Multivariate analysis of covariance (maturation and
chronological age as covariates) showed that the Under 16 elite players were heavier and had
greater muscle circumferences than their non-elite peers. Discriminant analysis between elite
and non-elite players revealed that height, running speed, and agility are superior parameters
for talent identification. In different sports and games the RAE at the youth level is quite
influential (Helsen, Winckel, & Williams, 2005; Musch & Grondin, 2001; UEFA, 2016), but
the possibility of existence of a ‘relative age effect reversal’ which defies the ‘RAE’, have
been raised by some pioneering studies (Fumarco et al., 2017). This paves the way of
investigating whether older handball players may be more skilled, or have higher technical
ability than those players with lower age
However, there is no conclusive evidence on the existence of an RAE and reverse
RAE in popular games and sports. For the career length in basketball and soccer Steingröver
et al. (2016) have found inconclusive results In the games of German handball, study of
Schorer et al (2009) did not find a difference in height, weight or technical skills of players
which could be attributed to relative age differences. In the study of Fumarco and Rossi
(2018) one can find that Italian football players of lower age group received lower salaries in
comparison with the older peers.
Interest on identifying and developing sporting talent is more complex in team sports
than in individual sports with discrete objective measures of performance (Reilly et al.,
2000). The RAE is interesting as there is a tendency for coaches, during the identification and
selection of new players, to include the taller and stronger players while the smaller and
thinner players are often excluded from the team. In order to verify RAE hypothesis for the
junior handball players of West Bengal we have undertaken a programme for identification of
talents of handball players in different age groups through a battery of tests. The results from
the tests show a unique feature which shows comparable performances of both lower and
upper age group players indicating a reversal of the RAE hypothesis.

Materials and Methods

The study was performed on 65 male volunteers from different district Handball Associations
of West Bengal, namely, Burdwan, Howrah, Murshidabad, Nadia, North 24 Parganas. All the
subjects have participated at state level and have training of minimum one year to maximum
three years. The subjects were divided in to three groups according to their ages- i) under 15
(N = 25) (chronological age between14.0 and 14.9 years), ii) under 17 (N = 20)
(chronological age between16.0 and 16.9 years) and iii) under 19 (N = 20) (chronological age
between18.0 and 18.9 years). As some of them were minors, written consent letters from the
actual guardians of all the subjects were taken after detailing them about the procedures to be
followed and potential risks involved, if any, during the battery of tests and the future of the
outcome. There were certain exclusion criteria which included injury or illness, presence of
chronic or genetic disorder and current performances status. The research study was
conducted after obtaining necessary permission and approval from the Board of Research
Study and Human Ethical Committee of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and
Research Institute. Appropriate measures were taken following the guide lines of Helsinki
Protocol of Human Subject Data Collection 1976 and guide lines of Indian Council of
Medical Research (Human Ethical Consideration). Utmost care was taken in imparting the
knowledge of expected outcomes and possible risks. No invasive tests were taken in this
study.

Procedure
The items that were tested in finding out the motor fitness of candidates are shown in
the Table 1 below
Table 1. Measured Tests Items of the Fitness Components of the Subjects (Kansal, 1996)
FITNESS COMPONENTS TEST ITEMS
 Speed. 1. 30 meter dash.(s)
 Agility. 2. 4 X 10 meter shuttle run.(s)
 Power. 3. Standing Broad Jump.(m)
4. Vertical Jump (height achieved) (m)
5. Medicine Ball Throw.(m)
 Strength Endurance. 6. Push-ups (in one minute).(n)
7. Pull-ups (in one minute).(n)
8. Sit-ups (in one minute).(n)
 Endurance. 9. Astrand-Ryhming step test.(n)

In this study following instruments were used for data collection:- i) weighing
machine for measurement of body mass in kg.(VENUS BS-945, ± 0.05 kg), ii) stopwatch
(Racer, ± 0.01s), iii) Anthropometric rod for measuring height in cm., (± 0.1 cm), iv) flat and
clear surface of at least 50 meters for measuring speed., v) four wooden blocks for measuring
agility, vi) a wooden table (height 40 cm, ± 0.1cm ) for measuring endurance, vii) .medicine
ball (Nivea) for measuring power, viii) hanging bar for measuring strength endurance.

All tests (Kansal, 1996) were performed in bare feet (except the endurance shuttle
run). In addition to these fitness tests, height, body mass were measured with the participants
wearing minimal clothing. Ages of the participants were noted from their birth certificates. In
order to find out the acceleration (m/s 2) and speed (m/s) of handball players a 30 m dash test
was performed for every player on a flat 50 meter long flat piece of land. To determine agility
for the same set of players, 4 X 10 m shuttle run were performed by the players. To evaluate
the power of legs of the handball players, at first they were asked to perform standing broad
jump test. Secondly, to determine power of legs vertical jumps performed by the players were
also used. For measurement of the power (watt) of shoulder girdles and arms, medicine ball
throw test was performed. To measure the strength endurance of arms and shoulder girdles of
the handball players, push ups and pull ups were used. In order to determine strength
endurance of abdominal muscles of the players sit up tests were performed on a piece of mat
over a flat surface. Astrand- Ryhming step test (VO2 max) was taken for each player in which
VO2 max was calculated using the formula:
VO2 max (L/min) = 3.744{(BW+5)/(HR-62)} (Marley and Linnerud,1976),

where BW = Body Weight, HR = Heart Rate. Maximal oxygen consumption score for age of
the subject has been obtained by multiplying it by the appropriate age correction factor in the
Table 2 shown below

Table 2. Factors for calculation of VO2 max according to age (Astrand Ryhming Nomogram)

Age ≤15 15- 21- 26- 31- 36- 41- 46- 51- 56- ≥65
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Facto 1.10 1.05 1.00 0.94 0.87 0.83 0.78 0.75 0.71 0.68 0.65
r

Statistics
The data were first tested for outliers, and then for normal distribution using the
Anderson - Darling test. Pearson correlations were calculated for normally distributed data
Statistical significance was considered at p < 0.05 . To compare the motor fitness
performances of the handball players of different groups we have performed One-way
ANOVA followed by Post-Hoc test [Tukey Kramer new multiple range test (MRT)] on the
results of several tests taken by the players.
In Table 3 we show the calculated output of VO 2 max value using table No 2 and in
Table 4 we present results of one-way ANOVA test with Post-Hoc analysis of VO2 max data.
Table 3. Absolute value of VO2 max (ml/kg/min)

Under-15 (N=25) Under-17 (N=20) Under-19 (N=20)

63.87 67.69 61.88
63.25 55.00 49.11
59.46 74.80 73.68
58.00 52.80 56.69
71.18 66.00 49.61
60.79 69.59 51.13
60.50 65.00 66.00
68.75 54.00 61.35
46.47 55.93 51.86
62.86 60.39 64.34
67.69 53.51 63.77
48.47 59.10 56.72
66.25 60.85 62.02
68.00 63.87 54.55
86.98 78.57 52.80
65.53 48.13 57.87
83.02 58.00 61.11
69.35 51.89 51.07
65.48 62.67 58.37
55.00 57.12 52.80
81.71
94.29
52.88
61.73
75.26

Table 4.: One Way Analysis of Variance of the Endurance

(Absolute Value of VO2max (ml/kg/min)) of the Subjects

ANOVA of three groups of volunteers

MSW F P-value F critical Remarks
81.7088911 5.1050894 0.0088632 3.1452584 Significant (0.05)

Post Hoc test (Q value = 2.83)

GROUP-A GROUP-B Difference SE Q
Under-15 (N=25) Under-17 (N=20) 5.5247195 1.9175245 2.8811729

Under-15 (N=25) Under-19 (N=20) 8.4353054 28.6133376 0.2948033

Under-17 (N=20) Under-19 (N=20) 2.9105859 28.6204758 0.1016959

The analysis showed a significant variation in the mean. The reliability of the
collected data was maintained by using the same environmental and geographical condition
for every subject’s i.e. same altitude, identical wind speed, similar or near similar climatic
conditions. The consistency of the data was maintained because of the different activities
were taken in the same order with a short break between each of around 60-120 sec.
Hygroscopic constant of the atmosphere was recorded from the website of Indian
Meteorological Survey due to non-availability of the equipment for measuring the
corresponding data.

The Personal Data are presented in Table 5 below. To understand the distribution
pattern of the data set Anderson-Darling Normality Test was performed. According to the
distribution pattern the individual data set was found to be either normal or probably normal.

Table 5.: A comparative study of anthropometric data of groups of handball players of

different countries

Parameter Flemish Under-15 Flemish Under-17 Flemish Under-19

Reference (n = 25) Reference (n = 20) Reference (n = 20)
(n = 430) (Mean ± SD) (n = 430) (Mean ± SD) (n = 430) (Mean ± SD)
Age (in year) 13.1 13.27 ± 0.67 15.0 15.7 ± 0.47 N.A. 16.86 ± 0.91

Height (in cm) 159 155.08 ± 8.3 171 165.2 ± 5.43 N.A. 164.57 ± 6.25

Body Mass 48.4 42.92 ± 8.77 59.1 53.55 ± 8.39 N.A. 55.86 ± 8.5
(in kg)

The results of the anthropometric measurements for the Flemish reference population
and under 15, under 17 handball players are shown also in Table 5. More information
regarding this study can be found in Duvigneaud et al. (2006). The reason for including the
Flemish data is to get an idea about the anthropometric parameters of players of the similar
age group from a different continent and make a comparative study. As there were no data
available for players Under-19 age group we could not compare our data. One comment is
pertinent here-the average age of this group lies on the lower side. The personal data in Table
5 showed an increase of body mass with age which is quite normal in West Bengal, India.
However, the height of the players show a stabilising effect after age of the player reaches
around seventeen which is characteristic in this age group of young adults. We would like to
comment here that anthropometric data clearly shows that the Flemish cohort has an edge
over Bengal cohort in height and body mass.

Results
The purpose of the study was to find out whether there was an enhancement in the
motor fitness level of male players with age. As the age increases, it is expected that growth
of the male players help them in performing better in all the departments as the ranges of
motion (ROM) of their limbs and joints increase (Zawadska et al. 2020). In Table 6 and 7 we
present results of our analysis for groups under 15 years of age with under 17 years of age
and groups under 17 and under 19 years of age in order to find out if there is an effect of
RAE prevalent in young handball players of West Bengal.. From the tables it is apparent that
the analyses show variations in the mean values of results for all the tests. However, the Post-
Hoc analysis shows that in all these tests the variation in mean is significant between the
groups of under 15 and under 17 and again under 17 and under 19, as F > F critical in all the
cases and P-values are quite small. Exceptions are there for groups under 15 and under 17 in
the cases of 4 x 10 m shuttle run, standing broad jump and push up where Q is less than the
table value of Q = 2.83 indicating non-significant variation in the mean. Only in pull-ups and
Astrand-Ryhming step test for groups under 17 and under 19 we find Q is less than the table
value for these groups. One interesting comment can be made here – though the mean values
for the tests undertaken by the age group under 15 are on the lower side in comparison to
those from the higher age groups of under 17 and under 19, actual raw data clearly
demonstrated the better performance of some of the lower age group members in all the tests.
Actually the zeal to outperform the seniors in a competition provided the impetus.

Table 6. Results for ANOVA with Post-Hoc analysis on different tests of motor
performance between groups under 15 and under 17
Items Diff SE Q F Q value P-Value Fcritical
from
Table
30 m dash 0.35 0.0744 4.677 13.0638 2.83 1.84x10-5 3.1452
(s) 8
4 x 10m 0.68 1.6280 0.416 10.6533 2.83 1.05x10-4 3.1452
 Shuttle Run 4
(s)
Standing 0.38 0.5964 0.638 25.1315 2.83 1.01x10-8 3.1452
Broad 4
jump(m)
Medicine 1.83 0.2058 8.908 44.6202 2.83 1.01x10-12 3.1452
ball Throw 1
(m)
Standing 0.10 1.3696 7.396 23.8520 2.83 2.08x10-8 3.1452
High 2
Jump (m)
Push-up (n) 4.60 1.9529 2.356 5.5719 2.83 5.95x10-3 3.1452
Pull-up (n) 3.81 0.6965 5.469 17.3301 2.83 1.05x10-6 3.1452
9
Sit-up(n) 0.58 0.8723 3.811 12.1563 2.83 1.05x10- 3.1452
4
2
Astrand-
Ryhming 5.52 1.9175 2.881 5.1051 2.83 8.86x10-3 3.1452
Step Test (n) 2

Table 7. Results for ANOVA with Post-Hoc analysis on different tests of motor performance
between groups under 17 and under 19
Items Diff SE Q F Q value P-Value Fcritical
(Table)
30 m dash 0.17 0.0744 7.0160 13.0638 2.83 1.84x10-5 3.1452
(s)
4 x 10m 0.18 0.1091 4.5545 10.6533 2.83 1.05x10-4 3.1452
Shuttle Run
(s)
Standing 0.10 0.0266 10.554 25.1315 2.83 1.01x10-8 3.1452
Broad jump
(m)
Medicine 0.82 0.2058 12.8780 44.6202 2.83 1.01x10-12 3.1452
 ball Throw
(m)
Standing 0.02 1.3696 9.0025 23.8520 2.83 2.08x10-8 3.1452
High
Jump (m)
Push-up (n) 4.60 1.9529 4.7119 5.5719 2.83 5.95x10-3 3.1452
Pull-up (n) 1.80 10.394 0.5397 17.3301 2.83 1.05x10-6 3.1452
0
Sit-up(n) 1.85 11.674 6.7523 11.8754 2.83 1.57x10-6 3.1452
3
Astrand-
Ryhming 0.80 28.613 0.2948 5.1051 8.86x10-3 3.1452
2.83
Step Test 3
(n)

In figure 1, a comparative study of performances of handball players of under 15 and

under 17 age groups has been presented for the different tasks they had undertaken for the
assessment of their motor performances. Except for a few tasks, (e.g.. Medicine ball throw,
Pull-up and Push-up) the group under 15 years of age has performed almost at the same level
of the group under 17 years of age which points towards reverse relative age effect (RAE). In
fact during the process of data taking, an intense eagerness was observed among the handball
players under 15 group to outperform the senior players in all the tests given to them. This
degree of enthusiasm was seldom observed in other age groups.

40

35

30

25

20 Under-15
Under-17
15

10

0
30m 4x10m Bjmp Mdbl Hjmp Psup Plup Stup ARtst

Figure 1. Comparative study (Mean and Standard Error) of performances of different

age groups (under 15 and under 17) in different tasks
 45

40

35

30

25
Under-17
20 Under-19
15

10

0
30m 4x10m Bjmp Mdbl Hjmp Psup Plup Stup ARtst

Figure 2. Comparative study (Mean and Standard Error) of performances of different

age groups (under 17 and under 19) in different tasks

Legends(x-axis): 30m – 30m dash, 4x10m – 4x10m shuttle run, Bjmp – Broad jump, Hjmp –
High jump, Psup – Push up, Plup – Pull up, Stup – Sit up, ARtst – Astrand-Ryhming step test.

It can be seen from the fig. 2 that in the run section, Medicine ball throw section as
well as in high jump section the performances of both groups are comparable.. Actually
performances of some players of lower age group were at the same level of that of higher age
group. In this graphical representation we do not get a clear picture of RAE. From the figure
2 one can infer that except for push-ups the performance level in different tests have reached
an almost plateau which is not expected at this early stage. An increasing trend is expected at
the competitive level if we accept the hypothesis of Relative Age Effect (RAE)..However, in
the cases we have studied so far, no such clear indication could be found.

Finally we have analysed the data of tests for the handball players under 15 and under
19 age groups to see the presence of a RAE. The results are shown in Table 8. One-way
ANOVA followed by Post-hoc analysis was also done. Since the players of one of these
groups have quite a bit of experience, the comparison of these two groups needs special
consideration.

Table 8. Results for ANOVA with Post-Hoc analysis on different tests of motor
performance between groups under 15 and under 19
Items Diff SE Q F Q value P-Value Fcritical
from
Table
 30 m dash (s) 0.52 0.0744 7.0160 13.0638 2.83 1.84x10-5 3.1452
4 x 10m 0.67 0.1091 4.5545 10.6533 2.83 1.05x10-4 3.1452
Shuttle Run
(s)
Standing 0.28 0.0266 10.554 25.1315 2.83 1.01x10-8 3.1452
Broad jump
(m)
Medicine ball 2.65 0.2058 12.8780 44.6202 2.83 1.01x10-12 3.1452
Throw (m)
Standing 0.12 1.3696 9.0025 23.8520 2.83 2.08x10-8 3.1452
High
Jump (m)
Push-up (n) 9.20 1.9529 4.7119 5.5719 2.83 5.95x10-3 3.1452
Pull-up (n) 5.61 10.394 0.5397 17.3301 2.83 1.05x10-6 3.1452
Sit-up(n) 2.43 0.2102 12.6734 39.4352 2.83 1.01x10-12 3.1452
Astrand-
Ryhming 1.51 28.6133 0.2948 5.1051 8.86x10-3 3.1452
2.83
Step Test (n)

It can be inferred from the table 8 that as P-values are quite small and F is greater than
Fcritical, the variation in means of the tests is quite significant. However, for pull-ups and
Astrand-Ryhming step tests we have got Qs which are smaller than the table value of Q
(2.83) which indicates a non-significant variation. The most important feature of this study is
that the players of upper age group (Under 19) did not show any remarkable achievements by
having more time in practices.
In fig. 3 we have presented a comparative study on the performances of the handball
players of age group under 15 and age group under 19. For these age groups, the p values are
quite small but it is indicative of a competitive increase in the performance level of players of
lower age group.. If we look critically at the figure we may come up with an opinion that with
increasing age the motor performances of the handball players show an upward trend which
corroborates the Relative Age Effect (RAE) hypothesis. However, sometimes the juniors in
competition with seniors push themselves so assiduously that they outperform the seniors.
This may be the evidence of the RAE reversal we theorized despite the fact that generally the
junior players are not expected to surpass the performance levels of higher age group.
 45

40

35

30

25
Under-15
20 Under-19
15

10

0
30m 4x10m Bjmp Mdbl Hjmp Psup Plup Stup ARtst

Figure 3. Comparative study (Mean and Standard Error) of performances of different

age groups (under 15 and under 19) in different tasks

Handball is a high intensity ball game. Strength, stamina, excellent ball skills,
strong teamwork and tactics are vital for success in Handball. Generally it is perceived that
with age and experience the maturity of a player comes. Relative Age Effect is not only
observed in all types of ball games, it is also one of the key factors in identification of talents
in Handball games. Usually the motor performance of the players improves with hours of
practice they put either in their training sessions or in the matches they play. In our study we
have found significantly better performances of senior players than their lower age group
counterparts in standing high jump, medicine ball throw and pull-ups. However, the lower
age group players have shown exceptional zeal in doing better in all the tests. The flavor of
this kind of intense motivation can be seen from the next three figures (4 - 6).
 5.2
5.1
5
4.9
Time in Sec.

4.8
4.7
4.6
4.5
4.4
4.3
Under-15 Under-17 Under-19

30 metre Run

Figure 4. Comparative study of performances of three age group handball players in 30 metre
dash for testing speed (Mean ± SD).

12

10
Time in Sec.

4
Under-15 Under-17 Under-19

4x10 metre Shuttle Run

Figure 5 Comparative study of performances of three age group handball players in 4 X 10m
shuttle run for testing agility (Mean ± SD).
 3
Distance in meter

0
Under-15 Under-17 Under-19

Standing Broad Jump

Figure 6 Comparative study of performances of three age group handball players in Standing
broad jump for testing power (Mean ± SD).

Conclusion

In the literature one can get only a limited number of studies that have reported
assessments of some the handball-specific characteristics and anthropometric measurements
of junior as well as senior level handball players (Bergemann, 1999; Gorostiaga et al., 2005;
Ibnziaten et al., 2002; Lidor et al., 2005). As per the study of Lidor et al (2007) for the elite
volley ball players with average age of 16.4 years, the height, body mass and standing broad
jump values are 189 ± 3 cm, 75.6 ± 5.9 kg and 231 ± 11 cm respectively, whereas in our case
the corresponding values for age is 16.86 years, body mass is 55.86 ± 8.5 kg, height is 165 ±
6 cm and jump length is 224 ± 13 cm Despite having lower body mass and height the local
handball players have executed comparable broad jumps which can be treated as a good
indicator of agility. For quality handball players the requirements are very specific – good
strength, agility, explosive power, speed, endurance and cardiovascular endurance Now, if
one looks critically at our data one can discern that the players of different age groups of
West Bengal satisfy more or less the aforementioned criteria. What actually needed is to
follow a disciplined protocol which will enhance their performances in the tournaments. In
order to identify talents amongst these players clubs and federations should look at the
scientific analyses of the continuous performances in training as well as match sessions. Here
we can add our observation – the performances in different tests should be judged along with
the degree of motivation. The outcome of our study clearly sends a signal that relative age
effect (RAE) can be reversed by enthusiasm of the participants to surpass one’s self in
practical situations.

We may conclude by offering two explanations to understand why a RAE reversal

may occur.- one is psychological. Players in the lower age group demonstrate higher than
average resilience due to their ability to overcome age limitations [Schorer et al., 2009].
Secondly, in order to show their competence against their relatively older and bigger peers,
the players of lower age group try to work harder [Roberts et al., 2015], showing a positive
peer effect which generates resilience and improved motivation. The disadvantage with
which they have started will eventually work in their favour These dark horses are better
equipped to overcome subsequent obstacles. Similar phenomenon of reversal of relative age
effect (RRAE) has been observed in the training programme for junior table tennis players
organised in the Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata, India in 2019, where a large
assorted group of young adults gathered for training. So, we feel and have proved that the
advantage the older players enjoy due to their earlier entry can be overtaken by the younger
generation with strong determination imbibed in them by their coaches and trainers.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding
author, [RB], upon reasonable request.
Reference

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