Seasonal birth distribution of west European soccer players: a possible explanation

Med Hypotheses. 1992 Aug;38(4):346-8. doi: 10.1016/0306-9877(92)90030-g.

Abstract

Twice as many top soccer players from The Netherlands, Belgium and France are born in August, as compared to July. A creeping selection mechanism, inadvertently caused by organisational aspects of the youth soccer competition in the countries mentioned, could be the explanation.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Belgium
  • Birth Rate
  • France
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Biological
  • Netherlands
  • Seasons*
  • Soccer*