Bias towards early-maturers means coaches lose out on talent

Many talented athletes born late in the year are not getting the same opportunities as their peers born in the first quarter because of the differences in physical maturity‚ sports scientists from three continents reported at Fitcon‚ a three-day fitness convention taking place in Johannesburg. “We are de-selecting many good athletes early on and this selection bias persists through the talent pathway‚” said Dr Aaron Coutts‚ a professor in sport and exercise science at the University of Technolo...