The association between physical performance and match-play activities of field and assistants soccer referees

The aims of this study were to compare the external and internal match responses and fitness performance of national field referees (FRs) and assistant referees (ARs), and to examine the relationships between these fitness measures and physical and physiological responses during match play. Forty-four national soccer match officials (e.g. FRs and ARs) participated in this study. The distance covered and the VO_2max in Yo-Yo Intermittent recovery test (YYIR1) and the 30 m sprint test correlated with high speed and high intensity activities during match play in FRs (r = -0.48-0.63, moderate to large, very likely to most likely, p < 0.05). In addition, YYIR1 performance was related to high accelerations (r = 0.41, moderate, likely, p < 0.05) and high decelerations (r = 0.44, moderate, very likely, p < 0.05) for FRs. Better sprint and cardiovascular fitness could be relevant to the performance of FRs during match play.

Relationships between Sprint Ability and Endurance Capacity in Soccer Referees

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between sprint ability and endurance capacity in soccer referees. Twenty-three Spanish officials participated in this study. Each referee undertook, in this order, a 40 m linear straight sprinting test (40 m Sprint) and the Yo–Yo intermittent recovery level 1 test (YYIR1) interspersed with a 8 min of self-administered rest. The results in the 40 m Sprint test showed that the time spent by referees was 5.56 ± 0.27 s and achieved a maximum velocity of 31.46 ± 2.85 km·h⁻¹. Furthermore, during the YYIR1 the referees covered 1213.91 ± 432.26 m. The distance covered at YYIR1 was moderately correlated to the velocity achieved in the 40 m Sprint test (r = −0.404, p < 0.05). These results suggest that the ability to reach high speeds is a limiting factor in YYIR1 performance.

Perception, Action, and Cognition of Football Referees in Extreme Temperatures: Impact on Decision Performance

Different professional domains require high levels of physical performance alongside fast and accurate decision-making. Construction workers, police officers, firefighters, elite sports men and women, the military and emergency medical professionals are often exposed to hostile environments with limited options for behavioral coping strategies. In this (mini) review we use football refereeing as an example to discuss the combined effect of intense physical activity and extreme temperatures on decision-making and suggest an explicative model. In professional football competitions can be played in temperatures ranging from -5°C in Norway to 30°C in Spain for example. Despite these conditions, the referee's responsibility is to consistently apply the laws fairly and uniformly, and to ensure the rules are followed without waning or adversely influencing the competitiveness of the play. However, strenuous exercise in extreme environments imposes increased physiological and psychological stress that can affect decision-making. Therefore, the physical exertion required to follow the game and the thermal strain from the extreme temperatures may hinder the ability of referees to make fast and accurate decisions. Here, we review literature on the physical and cognitive requirements of football refereeing and how extreme temperatures may affect referees' decisions. Research suggests that both hot and cold environments have a negative impact on decision-making but data specific to decision-making is still lacking. A theoretical model of decision-making under the constraint of intense physical activity and thermal stress is suggested. Future naturalistic studies are needed to validate this model and provide clear recommendations for mitigating strategies.

The influence of soccer match play on physiological and physical performance measures in soccer referees and assistant referees

The aim of this study was to quantify the acute impact of soccer match officiating on selected physiological and physical performance measures. Twenty-four officials from the Spanish National 3rd Division participated in this study. External global positioning system and internal (heart rate) load data were collected for each match official during 8 official matches. Pre- and post-matches, the referees were assessed for tympanic temperature, blood lactate, 15- and 30-m sprint speeds and unilateral (dominant and non-dominant legs) and bilateral vertical jump performances. For referees, the acute physiological and physical performance effects of officiating (post-match value minus pre-match value) were large increases in blood lactate (1.7 mmol · l(-1); ±90% confidence limit, 0.9 mmol · l(-1); effect size, ES = 4.35), small increases in 15-m sprint (0.09; ±0.04 s; ES = 0.53) and 30-m sprint speeds (0.14; ±0.08 s; ES = 0.39) and a small increase in non-dominant leg jump performance (2.1; ±1.4 cm; ES = 0.31). For assistant referees, there was a small decrease in tympanic temperature (-0.3°C; ±0.2°C; ES = -0.65) and small increases in blood lactate (0.4; ±0.3 mmol · l(-1); ES = 0.66), 15-m sprint speed (0.06; ±0.04 s; ES = 0.47), 30-m sprint speed (0.11; ±0.16 s; ES = 0.49) and bilateral countermovement jump height (3.4; ±1.5 cm; ES = 0.45). Taken together, these data demonstrate that the physical demands of soccer officiating are sufficient to elicit increases in blood lactate and small decrements in sprint performance and, thereby, provide some evidence for match-related fatigue.