Effect of relative age on playing time of young athletes participating in the Brazilian professional football championship E EM COMPETICOES INTERNACIONAIS PELA SELECAO BRASILEIRA

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of relative age (RAE) on the playing time of young athletes participating in the Brazilian professional football championship (Serie-A) and in international competitions for the Brazilian team. 149 male football players were included, who reached the professional level and competed in the Brazilian Championship, from 2020 to 2022. In addition, 93 players called up to participate in the South American and World championships (Under-17 and 20) of teams in 2023. The following data was extracted from the athletes: date of birth and playing time in competitions. Subsequently, the players were grouped into birth quartiles (Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4), according to their birth dates. The chi-square test ([chi square]) was performed to compare the number of athletes between birth quartiles. To check the EIR in the participants' playing time, Kruskal-wallis was used. In relation to the athletes who competed in the Brazilian championship, a greater number of players were observed in Q1 and Q2 compared to Q3 and Q4. When we analyzed the athletes called up for the South American and World championships (Under-17 and 20) in 2023, we observed a greater number of players in Q1 compared to Q2, Q3 and Q4. Additionally, there are also a greater number of athletes in Q2 compared to Q3 and Q4. The results suggest the non-existence of RAE in the playing time of young athletes during the competitions analyzed.