Maturity Status, Relative Age and Constituent Year Effects in Young Iberian Kayakers

Like in other sports systems, kayaking, young athletes are commonly grouped by their birth years. This study analyzed maturity status, relative age, and constituent age effects Under 14 (U14) 16 (U16) Iberian male kayakers. One hundred thirty (U14: n =80; U16: = 50) kayakers aged 14.10 ± 1.06 years were assessed for anthropometry, performance, maturity, sport experience. The year was divided into four quarters (BQ). There no significant differences the kayaker’s distribution BQ both categories (U14, p 0.348; U16, 0.709) or total sample (p 0.783). Six of ten best U14 category born year’s first half, eight among U16 Talent detection selection systems based solely on kayakers’ performances may imply some bias. ways to get around this situation would be adopt a grouping system similar bio-banding, allowing maximum number practitioners experience possibility obtaining competitive success.