Futbolcularda Yetkinlik Düzeyi ile Bağıl Yaş Etkileşiminin İncelenmesi: İstanbulspor Örneklemi

Abstract The Relative Age Effect (RAE) refers to a phenomenon in which individuals in the same age group but born in different months may face disadvantages in competitive environments. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of the Relative Age Effect (RAE) on perceived competence levels among male football players aged 14 to 18 within İstanbulspor Football Club, in relation to the variables of age group, birth quarter, and playing position. The study employed a relational screening model and included 94 male football players (M = 15.36). Data were collected using the Sport Competence Inventory, which was adapted into Turkish and validated by Kılıç and İnce (2017). Non-parametric statistical analyses were conducted. The chi-square goodness of fit test was used to assess RAE based on the distribution of birth quarters, while the Kruskal-Wallis H test examined differences in perceived competence across categorical variables. According to the analysis findings, the highest value was observed in the first quarter (34.0%), while the lowest was recorded in the fourth quarter (18.1%). Perceived competence also differed significantly by birth quarter (p = .020); post-hoc comparisons revealed that athletes born in the second and third quarters perceived themselves as more competent than those born in the fourth quarter. No significant differences were observed by age group (p = .050) or playing position (p = .218). These findings suggest that the RAE is not only related to physical development but also influences athletes' perceptions, underlining the importance of coaches developing awareness of this issue.