Assessing the Match Physical Responses of International Referees for Footballers with Cerebral Palsy: A Tournaments and Halves Comparative Analysis.

Similar to conventional football, the modality dedicated to footballers with cerebral palsy (CP) requires referees who cope with the physical demands imposed during competitive matches to apply the rules of the game. While a significant body of research has explored the physical demands on referees in mainstream football, there is a noticeable lack of data regarding CP football. This study aimed to examine the physical response of international referees participating in different levels of world competitions for footballers with CP. Thirteen international referees, who officiated 49 matches in the men's 2022 World Cup (1st to 15th ranked teams) and 2022 World Championships (16th to 30th ranked teams), participated in this study. A cross-sectional design was used to determine the physical responses and compare the 1st and 2nd halves and the performance in the different tournaments, recording physical variables throughout the matches. Significant higher physical responses were observed in the World Cup in comparison to the World Championship. Overall, high-level tournaments have been shown to elicit more intense physical responses from referees officiating CP football matches compared to lower-level tournaments. For the World Cup, a significantly higher number of accelerations and decelerations were registered in the 1st half compared to the 2nd half. This information may be useful for the strength and conditioning coaches of referees to plan weekly training sessions more specifically and adjust the periodical training load and post-match recovery protocols.

Match Physical and Physiological Response of Amateur Soccer Referees: A Comparison between Halves and Match Periods.

The aim of this paper was to examine the differences in the external and internal load in amateur match officials between the 1st and 2nd half and among different 15 min periods. Twenty-three field referees (FRs) and 46 assistant referees (ARs) from the Spanish División de Honor participated in this study. Match external and internal loads were monitored showing that FRs recorded a lower Powermean, Speedmean, Cadencemean and Stiffnessmean (p < 0.05; d = 0.52 to 0.57) during the 2nd half and they also recorded a lower HRmean, and HRpeak, and spent less time in zone 5 (p < 0.05; d = 0.50 to 0.62). The FRs' match load decreased during the match but they performed higher Powermean and covered more distance in the last 15 min of the match (p < 0.01; d = 0.87 to 4.28). The ARs external load did not show significant variations between halves, but ARs recorded a lower HRmean and spent less time in zone 5 (p < 0.01; d = 0.41 to 0.63), and the highest values of Powermean, Speedmean, Cadencemean and Vertical oscillationmean during the first 15 min of the match (p < 0.05; d = 0.45 to 0.75). The highest values of HRmean and distance covered were in the 0-15 min period. Results suggest that match load decreases as the match progresses because of the neuromuscular fatigue but increases in the last 15 min.

Associations between Well-Being State and Match External and Internal Load in Amateur Referees.

The main aim of this paper was to examine the association between prematch well-being status with match internal and external load in field (FR) and assistant (AR) soccer referees. Twenty-three FR and 46 AR participated in this study. The well-being state was assessed using the Hooper Scale and the match external and internal loads were monitored with Stryd Power Meter and heart monitors. While no significant differences were found in Hooper indices between match officials, FR registered higher external loads (p < 0.01; ES: 0.75 to 5.78), spent more time in zone 4 and zone 5, and recorded a greater training impulse (TRIMP) value (p < 0.01; ES: 1.35 to 1.62) than AR. Generally, no associations were found between the well-being variables and external loads for FR and AR. Additionally, no associations were found between the Hooper indices and internal loads for FR and AR. However, several relationships with different magnitudes were found between internal and external match loads, for FR, between power and speed with time spent in zone 2 (p < 0.05; r = -0.43), ground contact time with zone 2 and zone 3 (p < 0.05; r = 0.50 to 0.60) and power, speed, cadence and ground contact time correlated with time spent in zone 5 and TRIMP (p < 0.05 to 0.01; r = 0.42 to 0.64). Additionally, for AR, a relationship between speed and time in zone 1 was found (p < 0.05; r = -0.30; CL = 0.22). These results suggest that initial well-being state is not related to match officials' performances during match play. In addition, the Stryd Power Meter can be a useful device to calculate the external load on soccer match officials.

The influence of contextual variables on physical and physiologicalmatch demands in soccer referees / La influencia de las variables contextuales en las cargas físicasy fisiológicas de los árbitros de fútbol

The aim of this paper was to examine how contextual factors affect match demands in amateur referees. Twenty-three field referees participated in this study. Match physical and physiological demands were monitored. Results showed that referees recorded greater total distance (p < 0.01), Powermean (p < 0.01), Speedmean (p < 0.05) and Cadencemean (p<0.05) on natural fields compared to artificial turf fields. Greater total distance (p < 0.01), Powermean (p < 0.01), Speedmean (p < 0.01), Cadencemean (p < 0.05) and Stiffnessmean (p < 0.05) were recorded in above-standard fields in comparison to below-standard fields. Referees recorded greater total distance (p < 0.05), Powermean (p < 0.05) and Speedmean (p < 0.05) during matches played with an environmental temperature of over 20º compared to those matches played at temperatures below 10º. Referees’ covered more total distance in second-round matches compared to first round matches. Results suggest that the physical demands supported by soccer referees during official matches are influenced by the type of surface, pitch size, environmental temperature and period of the season, however, physiological demands do not seem to be conditioned by contextual factors.(AU)

El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue examinar cómo los factores contextuales afectan a la carga de partido de los árbitros amateur. Veintitrés árbitros de campo de la División de Honor española participaron en este estudio. Para ello se registraron la carga física y fisiológica de partido. Los resultados mostraron que los árbitros registraron una mayor distancia total (p < 0,01), potencia media (p < 0,01), velocidad media (p < 0,05) y cadencia media (p < 0,05) en los campos naturales en comparación con los campos de césped artificial. Se registró una mayor distancia total (p < 0,01), potencia media (p < 0,01), velocidad media (p < 0,01), cadencia media (p < 0,05) y media de stiffness medio (p < 0,05) en los campos más grandes que la media en comparación con los campos por debajo de la media. Los árbitros cubrieron más distancia total (p < 0,05), potencia media (p < 0,05) y velocidad media (p < 0,05) durante los partidos jugados con una temperatura ambiental superior a 20º en comparación con los partidos jugados con temperaturas inferiores a 10º. Los árbitros recorrieron más distancia total en los partidos de la vuelta en comparación con los partidos jugados en la ida (p < 0,05). Los resultados sugieren que la carga física de los árbitros de fútbol durante los partidos oficiales, están influenciadas por el tipo de superficie, el tamaño del campo, la temperatura ambiental y el período de la temporada, en cambio la carga fisiológica no parece estar condicionada por los factores contextuales.(AU)