Gender Differences for the Relative Age Effect on Physical Skills and Emotional Intelligence in Child Volleyball and Soccer Athletes.

Background/Objectives. The goal of this study was to assess the relative age effect and its relationship with the development of physical abilities and emotional intelligence in Colombian child athletes according to gender and the sport practiced. Methods. A cross-sectional correlational design was used. A total of 135 Colombian soccer and volleyball athletes, 62 boys and 73 girls, voluntarily participated with an average age of 13.25 ± 0.59 years. Physical skills such as SJ, CMJ, CMJA, 5, 10, and 15 m speed, CODS agility, and emotional intelligence were evaluated. Results. Statistically significant differences were found in the mood variables between Q1 and Q4 (p = 0.047, ηp² = 0.08) and Q2 and Q4 (p = 0.035, ηp² = 0.08). These differences are also present in the interpersonal variable between Q1 and Q4 (p = 0.003, ηp² = 0.12), Q2 and Q4 (p = 0.009, ηp² = 0.12), and, finally, in the total emotional quotient between Q1 and Q4 (p = 0.013, ηp² = 0.13), Q2 and Q3 (p = 0.024, ηp² = 0.13), and Q2 and Q4 (p = 0.005, ηp² = 0.13). Conclusions. Based on the findings of this research, it can be concluded that the relative age effect appears to be sensitive to CODS agility, 15 m speed, and SJ power variables concerning gender and sport. Jump height for CMJ concerning gender and CMJA jump concerning sport were considered. Emotional intelligence appears to be a variable sensitive to the relative age effect.