Physical demands, heart rate response and performance of talent football referees

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To explore the physical and physiological activity demands of talent football referees which belong to the Spanish Referees Technical Committee (CTA-RFFM) in order to understand the need of physical training and prescribe the most adequate exercise. METHODS: Fourteen semi-professional referees (25.8±3.8 years old; 1.79±0.03 m; 74.4±2.3 kg) from 2nd B Division and 3rd Division of the Spanish Football League were monitored during 2 games (total of 28 games) by wearing a global positioning system (GPS) device and a heart rate monitor in order to assess workload and heart rate. RESULTS: Total running distance was 8733.6±2238.0 m with no significant differences between first (4385.8±1122.7 m) and second match half (4347.9±1164.9 m). Further, distances covered at different intensity zones were similar between match halves. Average heart rate (HRavg) among matches was 151.2±16.6 bpm. No differences were found among HRavg between match halves (151.9±16.2 and 150.6±17.5 for the 1st and the 2nd half, respectively) and among the different intensity zones during the matches. Also, body load and the number of impacts registered were similar between match halves, with no differences among the intensity zones. CONCLUSIONS: Data showed, talent referees’ physical fitness should be aerobically trained adequately in order to accomplish performance demands during matches