The influence of contextual variables on physical and physiological match demands in soccer referees

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to examine how contextual factors affect match demands in amateur referees. Twenty-three field referees participated in this study. Match physical and physiological demands were monitored. Results showed that referees recorded greater total distance (p < 0.01), Powermean (p < 0.01), Speedmean (p < 0.05) and Cadencemean (p<0.05) on natural fields compared to artificial turf fields. Greater total distance (p < 0.01), Powermean (p < 0.01), Speedmean (p < 0.01), Cadencemean (p < 0.05) and Stiffnessmean (p < 0.05) were recorded in above-standard fields in comparison to below-standard fields. Referees recorded greater total distance (p < 0.05), Powermean (p < 0.05) and Speedmean (p < 0.05) during matches played with an environmental temperature of over 20° compared to those matches played at temperatures below 10°. Referees' covered more total distance in second-round matches compared to first round matches. Results suggest that the physical demands supported by soccer referees during official matches are influenced by the type of surface, pitch size, environmental temperature and period of the season, however, physiological demands do not seem to be conditioned by contextual factors