Physiological load imposed on elite soccer referees during actual match play

Background. The aim of this study as to describe the work-rate profile and cardiovascular stress of Italian high level soccer referees (n = 18), Methods. Experimental design: the referees were examined during official ga mes of the 1992-1993 first division Italian championship (serie A). Partici pants: subjects were all experienced top level referees enrolled in the CAN (Commissione Arbitri Nazionali) and thus officiating in the serie A e B It alian championships, Mean age of the referees considered here was 37.5+/-2. 14 years, Measures: heart rates were monitored by short-range radio telemet ry. Match analysis was performed with methodologies similar to that reporte d hy Ohashi et al. (1988), Results. Average match distance was 11376+/-1600 m (7818-13063) and no over all differences were observed between halves (p>0.05). Nevertheless less di stances were covered running backward and side-wards during the second half compared to the first half (p<0.05). Referees, on average, covered 41.7% o f the whole match distance at speeds faster than 13.1 km.h(-1). Heart rates attained 89.1% of the estimated maximal over the duration of a full game a nd no difference was observed between halves (p=0.72), Mean heart rates of the first 15 min of play were lower than the other two sections of the firs t half (p<0.05), Conclusions. Match analysis revealed the intermittent nature of the referee s' activities. Their intensity varied from situation to situation, frequent ly reaching near maximal intensity, However, sprint bouts never lasted for more than few seconds (2-4 sec). Top level soccer refereeing places high ph ysiological demands on the official thus specific training and fitness asse ssment are needed.