The relative age effect on physical fitness in preschool children |
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| Authors: | Rocío Cupeiro Miguel A Rojo-Tirado Cristina Cadenas-Sanchez Enrique G Artero Ana B Peinado Idoia Labayen |
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| Institution: | 1. LFE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , Madrid, Spain  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4119-0002;2. LFE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , Madrid, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3217-7786;3. PROFITH “Promoting FITness and Health through Physical Activity” Research Group, Sport and Health University Research Institute (Imuds), Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada , Granada, Spain;4. Institute for Innovation &5. Sustainable Development in Food Chain (IS-FOOD), Public University of Navarra , Pamplona, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4513-9108;6. Department of Education, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Almería , Almería, Spain;7. SPORT Research Group (CTS-1024), CERNEP Research Center, University of Almería , Almería, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2618-6128;8. LFE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , Madrid, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4871-8682;9. Sustainable Development in Food Chain (IS-FOOD), Public University of Navarra , Pamplona, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4334-3287 |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT 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 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. |
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| Keywords: | Muscular strength balance speed-agility cardiorespiratory fitness preschoolers RAE |
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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4119-0002;2. LFE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , Madrid, Spain