Key result
Professional soccer referees exhibit ~17% larger RV dimensions and greater LV mass index vs active players.
Why the study?
The cardiovascular morphological and functional profile of professional soccer referees compared to elite soccer players was not well characterized.
Does the morphological and functional cardiac profile of professional soccer referees differ from that of professional soccer players?
Cross-Sectional (n=240)
Does the morphological and functional cardiac profile of professional soccer referees differ from that of professional soccer players?
Absolute Event Rate: 25.9% vs 22.2%
p-value: p=<0.05
Professional soccer referees exhibit distinct echocardiographic adaptations, such as greater right ventricle dimensions, compared to elite soccer players, likely reflecting different training workloads.
Referee cardiac profiles may refine fitness criteria; leaves open performance and safety implications in masters athletes.
BACKGROUND: During a soccer game, the cardiovascular system is severely taxed The referees must be alert and their level of fitness must be such that fatigue will not impair their decision-making. Referee's peak overall performance is usually after 40 when the performance starts to decline. We evaluated the morphological and functional cardiac profile of professional soccer referees. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We submitted to a clinical and echocardiographic exam a group of 120 professional soccer referees aged 25 - 45 years, including the first division of the Italian Championship, matched with 120 soccer players, including élite soccer players. Data were compared using an unpaired Student's t test. Statistical significance was with p < 0.05. RESULTS: Right ventricle dimensions (22.2 +/- 3.8 vs 25.9 +/- 2.4 mm) and Left Ventricular Mass Index (LVMi) (100.5 +/- 45.2 vs 105.4 +/- 17.3) were significantly greater in referees than in active soccer players. Left atrium dimensions (33.7 +/- 8.9 vs 36.2 +/- 3.1 mm), aortic root (29.7 +/- 7.9 vs 32.1 +/- 3 mm) and LVMi (115.1 +/- 16.7 vs 134.1 +/- 19.9 g/m2) were significantly greater in élite soccer players than in first-division referees. CONCLUSION: Our investigation shows that right ventricle is greater in referees than in soccer players. The differences (left atrium, aortic root and LVMi) between first division referees and élite soccer players may derive from the different training workloads.
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Galanti et al. (2008) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy athletes (soccer referees and players) (n=240). Professional soccer refereeing vs. Professional soccer playing was evaluated on Right ventricle dimension (mm) (p=<0.05). Professional soccer referees exhibited significantly greater right ventricle dimensions (25.9 vs 22.2 mm) and left ventricular mass index compared to active soccer players.
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