Intensity of effort on football refereeing

Abstract

The objective of this study was twofold: (1) to analyze the heart rate (HR) response of soccer referees during matches, using physiological indices obtained in a progressive intermittent test (TCar), and (2) to determine the effort intensities during the match. Six state level soccer referees participated in the study (29.5 ± 5 years; 73.9 ± 10.5 kg; 179.9 ± 6.3 cm; 15.0 ± 7.9% of body fat). The referees performed a TCar for determination of the peak velocity (PV) and the heart rate deflection point (HRDP) using the Dmax method. The HRPD was considered to be the second threshold of physiological transition (TPT2), the HR corresponding to 80% of the HRDP was considered the first TPT1. Three domains had been established: 1) below the TTP1 (moderate), 2) between TPT1 and TPT2 (heavy) and 3) above TPT2 (severe). The referees had their HR monitored during six amateur soccer matches. Descriptive statistical analyses (mean ± dp) and ANOVA Two-way to compare 5 min HR values were performed. Student t-test was applied to compared HR values in the first and second half of the matches. The level of significance was set at 0.05. TCar results were PV (15.1 ± 1 km.h-1), HR max (189 ± 5bpm), HR at TPT1 (140 ± 6bpm) and HR at TPT2 (175 ± 7bpm). The mean HR of all matches was 153 ± 12bpm. Time spent in moderate intensity was 23.5%, heavy 69.7% and severe 6.8%. It can be concluded that the efforts of these referees during amateur matches was in heavy intensity, with few moments in the severe domain.
Key-words: Heart rate, soccer referees, intensity of effort.