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Physical Demands of Top-class Soccer Assistant Refereeing during High-standard Matches

2009; Thieme Medical Publishers (Germany); Volume: 30; Issue: 05 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1055/s-0029-1202339

1439-3964

Javier Mallo, Enrique Navarro, J. Garcia Aranda, Werner Helsen,

Knee injuries and reconstruction techniques

This study examined the physical demands experienced by top-class assistant referees during high-standard football matches. Computerized match analyses and heart rate recordings were performed on 18 international assistant referees during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2005. Total distance covered averaged 5752±554 m, of which 34% was covered at a high-intensity (>13 km·h−1). Sidewards movements represented 30% of total match distance. Both total distance (r=0.67; P<0.01) and high-intensity activities (r=0.52; P<0.05) were related to the displacements of the ball in the same match. The distance covered by high-speed running in this tournament was 255% greater (P<0.001) than that covered during the under-17 World Championship 2003. Mean heart rate during the game was 140±11 b·min−1 (78±4% HRmax). Mean heart rate during a 5-min interval of the match was related in part (r=0.31; P<0.001) to the amount of high-intensity activities performed within the same match-period. The results of this study show that the physical demands imposed on assistant referees are influenced by the movements of the ball and the standard of the competition.