Key result
Professional soccer referees show ~7% lower maximum oxygen uptake than players but maintain elite fitness.
Why the study?
The study was designed to compare aerobic performance between professional soccer referees and players.
Does aerobic fitness differ between professional male soccer referees and players?
Cross-Sectional (n=111)
Does aerobic fitness differ between professional male soccer referees and players?
Absolute Event Rate: 54.7% vs 58.8%
p-value: p=< 0.001
Older elite-level soccer referees maintain aerobic physical fitness levels similar to professional soccer players, suggesting fitness is a better metric than age for licensure.
Referees' lower VO2 max versus players may reflect age; leaves open need for age-adjusted fitness standards in officiating.
We looked to compare the aerobic performance between professional soccer referees and players. Fifty male soccer referees and 61 male soccer players were tested on a treadmill. The referees and players possessed 15 ± 7 years and 7 ± 3 years of experience in soccer, respectively. Significant differences were observed between the referees and players with regards to: age (34.8 ± 4.6 years vs 20.8 ± 2.7 years; P < 0.001, maximum oxygen uptake (54.7 ± 5.4 mL·kg·min vs 58.8 ± 4.4 mL·kg·min; P < 0.001), and maximal heart rate in peak exercise (184 ± 11 bpm vs 192 ± 9 bpm, P < 0.001). Less significant differences also were observed and included; running speed at the maximum oxygen uptake (16.6 ± 1 km·h vs 16.4 ± 1.1 km·h), running speed at the ventilatory threshold (213.5 ± 1.1 km·h vs 13.2 ± 0.9 km·h), and percentage of maximal oxygen uptake at the ventilatory threshold (285.1% ± 3.2% vs 84.1% ± 6.2%). The effect size of most comparative variables between the two groups was small (<0.6). Older elite-level soccer referees are able to reach and maintain aerobic physical fitness levels similar to professional soccer players. Aerobic physical fitness may be a measurable factor for maintaining elite-level soccer licensure rather than age alone.
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Silva et al. (2019) reported a cross-sectional. Professional soccer referee status vs. Professional soccer player status was evaluated on Maximum oxygen uptake (mL·kg·min) (p=< 0.001). Professional soccer referees had slightly lower maximum oxygen uptake than players (54.7 vs 58.8 mL·kg·min; P<0.001), but maintained aerobic fitness levels suitable for elite licensure.
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