Relative Age Effects in Female Athletes

This chapter summarizes the research on Relative Age Effects (RAEs) in female sport. Research suggests that the features (direction and magnitude) of participation and dropout-based RAEs in female sport vary depending on the characteristics of the athletes and the sport-specific demands. However, our understanding of RAEs in female sport is limited by the relatively small number of studies in this area (compared to male athletes), particularly in sports other than soccer and basketball. This chapter also summarizes the methodological issues endemic to relative age research that affect our comprehension of relative age’s influence on female athlete development.