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

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.

Talent Selection Based on Sport-Specific Tasks Is Affected by the Relative Age Effects among Adolescent Handball Players.

Unlabelled: Talent selection is often affected by the relative age effects (RAEs), resulting in the overrepresentation of relatively older (vs. relatively younger) players among those selected. The use of sport-specific tasks is suggested to reduce RAEs during talent selection.