Abstract

REBELO-GONCALVES, R; PARDAL, H; COELHO, L  and  AMARO, N. Physiological and mechanical loads in Portuguese sub-elite football refereeing - a preliminary study. CPD [online]. 2021, vol.21, n.3, pp.213-223.  Epub May 23, 2022. ISSN 1989-5879.

This study aimed to examine the variation in physiological and mechanical load in a sub-elite refereeing team, considering the different parts of the match and their role (field referee vs. assistant referees). One field referee (32.57 years) and two assistant referees (31.05 years) were monitored during 4 matches of the Portuguese Championship throughout the 2018-2019 season (senior age category, or adult), using the ZephyrTM BioHarness. The following variables were considered for analysis: skin temperature, respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR), percentage of maximum heart rate (%HRmax), posture, activity, and peak acceleration (ACCpeak). The impulse load, expressed as N∙s, was also calculated. No physiological and mechanical differences were observed according to match half, considering the refereeing team members. Significant differences were verified between field referee and assistant referees in the 1st half and the 2nd half and for total match-play: on average, the field referee had higher values for skin temperature (p = 0.016; r = -0.759), HR (p = 0.017; r = -0.757), %HRmax (p = 0.017; r = -0.757), activity (p = 0.017; r = -0.757), and ACCpeak (p = 0.017; r = -0.757). Curiously, no differences were found for impulse load between the field referee and the assistant referees. The football referee's activity profile is both physiologically and mechanically demanding, even at a sub-elite level. Differences between field referee and assistants must be considered in refereeing fitness and conditioning training programs to cope with physical demands of a football match.

Keywords : field-based monitoring; match performance; team sports; Zephyr^TM BioHarness.

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