Do psychological responses and experience influence the physical performance of soccer referees?

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between pre-competition psychological variables and in-match physical-physiological responses of semi-professional soccer referees. One-hundred fifty-three referees (age M = 23.2; SD = 4.8 years; experience M = 6.0; SD = 4.5 years) completed the CSAI-2 and the Rosenberg test prior to matches. Physical performance data was collected with GPS devices. The results showed that experienced referees presented lower scores for the negative psychological responses and higher scores for the positive ones (p < .01). During matches, this more experienced group displayed higher values for distance traveled and time with heart rate greater than 95 % of their maximum heart rate (p < .05; d > .70). In conclusion, experienced referees have greater emotional control and better physical-physiological results, which allows them to position themselves better on the field of play to make correct decisions. The article recommends intervention programs to help the newer referees to face matches and the introduction of referee-video in non-professional national categories, to correct clear errors. These changes would help referees to improve in their psycho-physical-physiological capacities and thus increase their level of success.