Effect of relative age on the tactical behavior of soccer players of different age groups: a systematic review

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze, through a systematic review, the Relative Age Effect (RAE) on the tactical behavior of soccer players of different age groups. The research was conducted in different databases in the form of a systematic review. All studies found used the Football Tactical Assessment System (FUT-SAT) as a data collection and analysis instrument, a technology that offers the advantage of flexibility in the use of its categories and the quality of opponent interactions. The articles also observed the use of dividing the evaluated athletes by birth quartiles. During the analysis of the studies, it became evident that, according to the age group of the athletes, there are variations in the birth quartile of athletes who show a higher performance index for defensive or offensive tactical principles. These principles, specifically, also change according to the athlete’s category. It is concluded that the RAE with the specific addition of tactical behavior in soccer players is a recent phenomenon in the literature that requires a greater number of studies in different age groups, in order to allow for an even more comprehensive view of how to deal with this issue in the context of the evaluation and identification of talent in soccer.