The Effect of Relative Age on the Success of Elite Wrestlers in Iraq: A Descriptive Study

Introduction: The term "relative age effect" refers to the age discrepancies among individuals participating in the same sports competition. This phenomenon suggests that younger athletes born in the first half of the year may possess greater physical and cognitive abilities compared to those born in the latter half of the year. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of relative age on the success of elite wrestlers in Iraq.
Materials and Methods: The study involved 477 wrestlers who participated in the national championships of Iraq between 2020 and 2022 in both the freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling categories. The participants' relative ages were categorized into two half-years based on the month of birth. Those born in the first six months of the Georgian calendar (January 1 to June 31) were assigned into the first half, while those born in the latter six months (July 1 to December 31) were categorized into the second half. Finally, the data were analyzed using the chi-square test (χ²).
Results: More athletes were born in the first half of the year compared to the second half (54.3% vs. 45.7%, respectively), and most champions were born in the first half (53.6%). However, the groups were not statistically different in terms of the number of athletes and number of champions (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: Apparently, the relative age effect is not an impactful factor for Iraqi wrestlers.