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Int J Sports Med 2022; 43(06): 512-518
DOI: 10.1055/a-1594-2739
Training & Testing

The Effects of Match Congestion on Physical Performance in Football Referees

Víctor Moreno-Perez 
1   Patología y Cirugía, Universidad Miguel Hernández, San Joan, Spain
,
Javier Courel-Ibáñez 
2   Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
,
Juan Del Coso 
3   Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Rey Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain
,
Javier Sánchez-Sánchez
4   IGOID Research Group, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
5   School of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Abstract

We examined the changes in performance during congested (two matches within a 7-day interval) and non-congested (one match within≥7-day interval) fixtures in 17 elite football (soccer) referees during 181 official matches. External demands comprised 20 GPS-based metrics. Internal load was assessed by heart rate and rating of perceived exertion. Compared to non-congested fixtures, referees decreased their running distance at 21–24 km·h−1 (p=0.027, effect size [ES]=0.41) and > 24 km·h−1 (p=0.037, ES=0.28), the number of sprints (p=0.012, ES=0.29), and distance sprinting (p=0.022, ES=0.29) in congested matches. Most play metrics were lower in congested versus non-congested fixtures with low-to-moderate ES. During the 2nd half of non-congested fixtures, referees covered larger distances at low-speed running (p=0.025, ES=0.47). Match congestion due to officiating two matches less than a week apart caused a notable decrease in match running activity in professional football referees, especially at above 21 km·h−1. These data reiterate the need for specific conditioning and post-match recovery strategies in high-level referees to ensure optimal judgment performance favouring the quality of the competition. Governing bodies should take these outcomes into account when designating referees for a match.

Key words

soccer - match officials - elite soccer refereeing - fatigue - inertial measurement units - match congestion


Publication History

Received: 27 January 2021

Accepted: 08 August 2021

Article published online:
20 December 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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