The Constituent Year Effect in European Track and Field Masters Athletes: Evidence of Participation and Performance Advantages

in Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

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Werner F. Helsen
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Nikola Medic
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Janet L. Starkes
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Andrew M. Williams
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2018-0439
Keywords:
aging; motivation; relative age effect; sport participation
In Print:
Volume 28: Issue 1
Page Range:
63–72
Restricted access

Inequalities in relative age distribution have previously been demonstrated to influence participation and performance achievements in Masters athletes. The purpose of the present study was to examine the participation- and performance-related constituent year effect among Masters athletes (N = 2,474) from the European Masters Track and Field Championships across subdisciplines and age. The results indicated that a participation-related constituent year effect was observed. The likelihood of participation was significantly higher for athletes in their first year of any 5-year age category (χ2 = 149.8, p < .001) and decreased significantly when they were in the fourth or fifth year. The results also indicated a performance-related constituent year effect. Masters athletes in their first year won significantly more medals than expected based on observed participation rate (χ2 = 23.39, p < .001). We compare our results with the existing literature and discuss potential mechanisms for this constituent year effect.

Helsen is with the Research Centre for Movement Control & Neuroplasticity, Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Medic is with the Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia. Starkes is with McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Williams is with the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.

Helsen (werner.helsen@kuleuven.be) is corresponding author.
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