DOI: https://doi.org/10.53350/pjmhs2115102933
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
P J M H S Vol. 15, No.10, OCT 2021 2933
The Effect of Different Training Strategies Applied to Football
Referees On Max
vo2
and Running Performance
BARIŞ BAYDEMIR
1
, HÜSEYIN Ö. YURDAKUL
1,
SERKAN AKSOY
2
1
Faculty of Sport Science, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey
2
Ayvacık Vocational School, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey.
Correspondence to: Barış Baydemir, Email: barisbaydemir@hotmail.com , Cell: +905439014515
ABSTRACT
Aim: In this study, the effects of high-intensity interval training and sprint training on amateur football referees
running performances expressed by the FIFA Athletic Test, Cooper Test and MAXVO2 were investigated.
Methods: Football referees average age (23.88±2.10); average height (181.16±1.99) cm; body weight
(74.42±2.46) kg and body mass index (22.66±.62) kg/m2 calculated. They were applied high-intensity interval
training and speed training 3 days a week for 16 weeks. FIFA Athletic Test and Cooper Test were applied in the
pre-test and post-test to see the effect of the training process on the referees. SPSS package program was used
to analyze the data. "Paired Sample t-Test" was used for the normally distributed data, and the "Wilcoxon Signed
Rows Test", which is a nonparametric test, for non-normally distributed data, and the effect size was calculated.
The results were evaluated according to the significance level "0.01" and "0.05".
Results: When the FIFA Athletic Test, Cooper Test, body weight, and BMI pre-test and post-test values were
compared in football referees, a statistically significant difference was found between the first measurement and
the second measurement (p<0.05).
Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was observed that the training sessions had a positive effect on amateur
football referees' running performances expressed by FIFA Athletic Test and Cooper Test and MAXVO2. This
training program is recommended for the improvement of the degree-based running performances of amateur
football referees.
Keywords: Football referee, training, high-intensity interval running.
INTRODUCTION
Football is the sports branch that has the most cruise
pleasure among sports-based games and has the largest
crowd of fans. Factors such as players, coaches, referees
affect the pleasure of watching. For this reason, players
and referees have to work to improve themselves. Coaches
develop and keep up-to-date training programs to do these
works in line with a plan and systematically.
With the development of training systems in football,
the change in tactical understanding, the development in
the football industry (field and material quality, etc.), the
game has become faster to play in recent years, and at the
same time, the ball's playing time has increased.
Football referees have an important place in football.
Like footballers, they go out to the competition to perform
their best. While it is possible for football players to close
each other's mistakes and deficiencies in the team game,
this is not the case for referees. In football, which is one of
the most active sports branches in the world, some wrong
decisions of the referees prevent the matches. These
wrong decisions are made by the referees, perhaps in
moments of high physical fatigue
1
. Besides, high
performance is expected in the matches they direct from
spectators, coaches, footballers, or clubs, and this
expectation creates serious stress on the referees.
Football referees have to run a lot to be close to the
ball and the players and at the same time to watch the
game from a more comfortable angle.
Elite football referees should have sufficient
perceptual and cognitive abilities as well as a high aerobic
performance like a midfield player. The best proof of this is
the research done by
2,3,4
. In their study
1
and his colleagues
determined that the average distance of the referees in the
matches was 9438 ± 707m,
3
11376 ± 1600 m, and
4
10714
m. Football referees are also subject to training programs
like football players. The institution that designs these
trainings is the training responsible for the International
Football Federation Association (FIFA) and related
federations. The International Football Federation
Association (FIFA) provides financial support to various
research projects to ensure that referees' work on
improving their performance and the correct and consistent
implementation of game rules
5.
At the same time, it tries to
evaluate the physical fitness of the referees and constantly
improve their fitness tests.
Football referees perform high-intensity runs and
acceleration and deceleration runs at different times in a
competition. At the same time, it is known that football
referees have a linear relationship between aerobic
capacity and match performance. It is also important to
improve the ability to repeat high-intensity short-term (8-15
sec) runs. Therefore, it is considered that football referees
should improve their physical performances and keep them
at the top level by including these high-intensity and short-
term runs in their current training programs.
In addition, endurance training has been reported to
improve individuals' aerobic capacity and other
performance levels
6.
The most important improvements in
the fitness and performance abilities of Elite Football
players throughout the season are observed in pre-season
studies
7
. Another important parameter, the repetitive
sprinting ability, started to decrease towards the middle of
the season
8
.
This skill is very important for referees as well as
football players because they need to perform repeated
sprint sequences during the match and especially in
moments of fatigue
9
. Muscle glycogen depletion,
hypothermia, and potential dehydration can be cited among
The Effect of Different Training Strategies Applied to Football Referees On Max
vo2
and Running Performance
2934 P J M H S Vol. 15, No.10, OCT 2021
the causes of decreased performance in repeated sprinting
ability during competition
10
. Apart from these, it has been
estimated that heavy training load and match frequency
may cause a decrease in the performance of repetitive
sprinting ability
8.
Research is generally done on the players and the
physiological features of football. In recent years,
researchers have begun to focus on the physiological
characteristics of football referees and referees. Most of
these studies include topics such as referee profiles,
physiological and anthropometric characteristics of
referees, referee movement patterns throughout the match.
When the literature is analyzed, it has been determined
that there are the limited number of studies on training
modeling and performance of football referees
3,11
. For this
reason, our study was conducted to investigate the effects
of high-intensity interval training applied to amateur football
referees on FIFA Athletic Test (6x40m and 40 x 75m) on
the running performances expressed by Cooper Test and
MAX
VO2
.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Participants: This study was carried out in the 2016-2017
football season by obtaining the necessary permissions
from the Çanakkale Provincial Arbitration Board and
adhering to the ethical principles by the Helsinki
Declaration. 25 male soccer referees, students of
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, voluntarily participated
in the study. Their average age (23.88 ± 2.10), average
height (181.16 ± 1.99) cm, body weight (74.42 ± 2.46) kg
and body mass index (22.66 ± .62) kg / m2 calculated. At
the end of the preparation period of the annual training
programs for football referees in the 2016-2017 season,
after the pre-test including the FIFA Athletic Test (6x40m
and 40 x75m) and Cooper Tests on the tartan floor, the
high-intensity interval training and speed training applied 3
days a week. As a result of the 16-week study, it was
terminated by performing a post-test.
Procedure: Anthropometric measurements
An electronic scale with a sensitivity of 0.1 kg was
used to measure body weight, and a digital height meter
with a precision of 0.01 cm was used for measuring the
length of the body. BMI = Body Weight / Height2 formula
was used 12.
Performance Tests
FIFA Athletic Test
Category 1: Repeated Sprint Ability
The test was done on the running track (tartan floor).
The start line is marked 0 and the finish line is marked as
40m. A photocell was placed 1m behind the start line and
the finish line. 6x40m running time was determined as
maximum 6,10 seconds for the referees and rest time
between repeats was 90 seconds. The best of 6 running
degrees were recorded.
Category 2: High-intensity interval running
The test was carried out on a 400m running track
(tartan floor). The 400m running track is divided into 4 with
100m sections. The beginning of every 100m is 0m start,
73.5-75m finish, and the remaining 25m distance is marked
as walking or jogging area. The Category 2 test started 6
minutes after the Category 1 test was over. The test was
performed with the signal sounds coming from the stadium
sound system. Football referees' 75m running time is 15
seconds, 25m walking or jogging time is 20 seconds. The
1st official announcement was made by the testers to the
football referees who could not enter the area of 73.5-75m
before the beep sound in every 75m of run. The 2nd
referee was disqualified. Referees running 40x75m were
considered successful.
Cooper test and MAX
VO2
Calculation
The test was carried out on the running track (tartan
floor). Football referees were taken to the test in groups of
10. The referees were rushed for 12 minutes with a whistle.
The referees were stopped with a whistling sound after 12
minutes and their distance was recorded by the test judges
on duty
13
. The MAX
VO2
values of the Football Referees
were calculated with the Balke Formula written below.
MAX
VO2
=33,3+(X-150)x0,178. (X = Distance run in
one minute)
Training Protocols
At the end of the preparation period of the annual
training programs, football referees were given high-
intensity interval training and speed training for 90 ± 10
minutes (including warm-up phase, main phase, and
cooling phase) 3 days a week on the tartan floor of
Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Stadium. Football referees only
received high-intensity interval training or speed training in
one unit training. Training days are designed according to
the match days of football referees. No practice training
(Hiit and speed training) was placed before and after match
days. In the 16-week program, equal distribution of HIIT
and speed training was provided (20 HIIT, 20-speed
training). During the study, no injuries were detected in
football referees.
“Test of Normality” was applied for the normality of
the distribution of the data obtained before and after the
study. "Paired Sample t-Test" and "Wilcoxon Signed Rows
Test" from nonparametric tests were used to determine
whether there was any difference between the data taken
before and after the study. The effect size was calculated
by dividing the difference between the mean scores of the
measurements by the standard deviation of the series.
Effect size (d value): Over ± 1 was evaluated as very large,
0.8 large, 0.5 medium, 0.2 small effect. The results were
evaluated according to the significance level "0.05" and
"0.01".
Table 1. Training and Test Schedule of Football Referees
Day
Week
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
Active Resting
Pre-Test
Off
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
2
Active Resting
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
Off
Speed
Training
3
Active Resting
Hiit
Off
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
4
Active Resting
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
Off
Speed
Training
B. Baydemir, H. ö. Yurdakul, S. Aksoy
P J M H S Vol. 15, No.10, OCT 2021 2935
5
Active Resting
Hiit
Off
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
6
Active Resting
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
Off
Speed
Training
7
Hiit
Active Resting
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
Off
8
Active Resting
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
Off
Match
9
Hiit
Active Resting
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
Off
10
Active Resting
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
Off
Match
11
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
Off
Speed
Training
Active
Resting
12
Active Resting
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
Off
Match
13
Hiit
Off
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
Active
Resting
14
Active Resting
Speed Training
Off
Hiit
Off
Active
Resting
15
Active Resting
Hiit
Off
Speed Training
Off
Match
16
Speed Training
Off
Active Resting
Post-Test
Off
Active
Resting
RESULTS
In the study, as a result of the normality test conducted to
determine the distribution of the data obtained, it was
determined that the football referees' age, height, weight,
BMI, FIFA Athletic Test (6x40m), FIFA Athletic (40x75m)
pre-test data, Cooper test and MAX
VO2
. values showed
normal distribution. Athletic Test (40x75m) post-test data
did not show normal distribution (p> 0.05). The data
obtained in the study are given in Table 1.
Bodyweight, BMI, FIFA Athletic Test (40x75m),
Cooper test and MAX
VO2
values obtained from the pre and
post-tests of football referees as a result of the "Paired
Samples t-Test" conducted to determine the difference
between the average values before and after the different
training strategies applied to football referees, there was a
statistically significant difference in their mean (t = 11.622,
p <0.01; t = 10.723, p <0.01; t = -14.942, p <0.01; t = -
4.688, p <0.01; t = -4.681, p <0.01 ). The effect size (d
value) calculated as a result of the test: The Cooper test
showed a large level, and other parameters had a very
large level of effect. This shows that different training
strategies applied to referees have a significant effect.
As a result of the "Wilcoxon Signed Rows Test"
conducted to determine the difference between the
average values before and after the different training
strategies applied to football referees, a statistically
significant difference was observed in the FIFA Athletic
Test (6x40m) values of the football referees (z = -4.286, p
<0.05). The difference values in favor of negative rows
show that different training strategies applied to football
referees have a significant effect on FIFA Athletic Test
(6x40m) degrees.
Table 2. Test of Normality
Shapiro-Wilk
Variables
Test Sequence
Statistic
df
Sig.
Age (year)
Pre-test
.939
25
.143
Post-test
.939
25
.143
Height (cm)
Pre-test
.920
25
.050
Post-test
.920
25
.050
Weight (kg)
Pre-test
.952
25
.271
Post-test
.886
25
.009
BMI (kg/m
2
)
Pre-test
.976
25
.794
Post-test
.976
25
.800
FIFA Athletic Test
(6x40m)
Pre-test
.908
25
.027
Post-test
.938
25
.136
FIFA Athletic Test
(40x75m The number of repetitions)
Pre-test
.914
25
.038
Post-test
.308
25
.000*
Cooper Test
(m)
Pre-test
.948
25
.230
Post-test
.939
25
.140
MAX
VO2
(ml.kg/dk)
Pre test
.946
25
.208
Post-test
.940
25
.146
*p<0.05
Table 3. Physical Characteristics of Football Referees
Variables
N
Test Sequence
Min.
Max.
Mean±SS
Age (year)
Pre-test
19
27
23.88±2.10
25
Post-test
19
27
23.88±2.10
Height (cm)
Pre-test
178
184
181.16±1.99
Post-test
178
184
181.16±1.99
Weight (kg)
Pre-test
70
81
74.42±2.46
Post-test
69
80.10
72.82±2.27
BMI (kg/m
2
)
Pre-test
21.38
23.92
22.66±.62
Post-test
20.90
23.70
22.18±.58
The Effect of Different Training Strategies Applied to Football Referees On Max
vo2
and Running Performance
2936 P J M H S Vol. 15, No.10, OCT 2021
FIFA Athletic Test
(6x40m)
Pre-test
5.93
7.01
6.16±.23
Post-test
5.59
5.95
5.79±.10
FIFA Athletic Test
(40x75m The number of repetitions)
Pre-test
28
36
33.40±2.21
Post-test
39
40
39.92±.27
Cooper Test
(m)
Pre-test
2700
2910
2822±58.59
Post-test
2820
2920
2880±.27
MAX
VO2
(ml.kg/dk)
Pre-test
46.65
49.76
48.46±.86
Post-test
48.43
49.91
49.31±.40
Table 4. Paired Sample t-Test
Variables
N
Test Sequence
Mean±SS
sd
t
p
d
Weight (kg)
25
Pre-Test
74.42±2.46
44
11.622
.000
2.32
Post-Test
72.82±2.27
BMI (kg/m
2
)
Pre Test
22.66±.62
10.723
.000
2.144
Post-Test
22.18±.58
FIFA Athletic Test
(40x75m The number of repetitions)
Pre-Test
33.40±2.21
-14.942
.000
-2.988
Post-Test
39.92±.27
Cooper Test
(m)
Pre Test
2822±58.59
-4.688
.000
-0.937
Post Test
2880±27.29
MAX
VO2
(ml.kg/dk)
Pre Test
48.46±.86
-4.681
.000
-0.936
Post Test
49.31±.40
Table 5. Wilcoxon Signed Rows Test
Pre-Post FIFA Athletic Test
(6x40m)
N
Row Mean
Sum of Row
z
p
Negative Rows
24
12.50
300
-4.286
.000
Positive Rows
0
.00
.00
No difference
2
* Based on negative rows
DISCUSSION
In this study, the effects of high-intensity interval training
and speed training on amateur football referees' running
performances expressed by FIFA Athletic Test (6x40m and
40 x 75m), Cooper Test and MAX
VO2
were investigated. As
a result of specific training (high-intensity interval training
and sprint training) applied to football referees for 16
weeks, a statistically significant difference was observed in
the body weight, BMI, FIFA Athletic Test (40x75m), Cooper
test and MAX
VO2
values of football referees. In the
calculated effect size (d value), as a result of the Cooper
test, a large level and a very large level effect was
observed in the other parameters (Table 3). There was also
a statistically significant difference in FIFA Athletic Test
(6x40m) values (Table 4).
In a study with top-level football referees, computer
time-motion analysis, heart rate, and blood lactate
measurements of referees working in national leagues
were examined. At the same time, various physiological
tests were performed before and after intermittent exercise
training in order to relate football referees' match
performances with physical capacity and training, and as a
result, it was determined that the runs during the match
were related to Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test and
Cooper Test. They also emphasized that the ability of
football referees to run high intensity during the match
decreased towards the end of the matches and Yo-Yo
Intermittent Recovery Test can be used to evaluate the
match performance of the referees
14
. In their study
15
investigated the effects of high-intensity interval training
program on sprint ability and aerobic capacity in soccer
referees. As a result of a 10-week study involving 16 elite
soccer referees, it was determined that high intensity
training improved sprinting ability and aerobic capacity.
In their study
16
examined 470 referees working in the
1st and 2nd categories of the Spanish league between
2001-2012. As a result of the research, while determining
that there has been an improvement in the body
composition of the elite football referees in the past
decade, they emphasized that more studies will contribute
to confirm these results. In their study
17
thought that the
fitness performances of football referees managing elite
matches were affected by age. For this purpose, they
examined 36 soccer referees in 3 separate groups (young-
middle-aged) and subjected them to field tests. As a result
of the research, they emphasized that the age-related test
standards should be determined, while expressing that the
elderly referees should pay attention to the fact that young
referees have developed appropriate aerobics and
anaerobics in their refereeing life throughout their career,
even if they have an acceptable fitness test.
Another study emphasized that after 12 weeks of
high-intensity interval training in studies on football
referees, they significantly improved their 7% maximum
oxygen intake and sports specific test performances based
on a 31% Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test. In the study,
the international match performances of football referees
were examined and it was emphasized that the referees
and assistant referees had high physical demands. It has
also been reported that the intensity of each run during the
game is much shorter than the test protocol, and the
stimulation of the anaerobic system is much higher than the
real match in the test. It was emphasized in the referee and
assistant referees that the running speed changes every 4-
5 seconds and this should be reflected in the test protocol
14
. In addition, Baydemir et al. emphasized that well-
planned training has a positive effect on aerobic capacity
and significantly improves maximum oxygen uptake
18
.
In another study, intensive intermittent training was
applied to football referees during the 16-month training
period and it was reported that there was a 47% increase in
the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test in football referees
19
.
In their study
20
applied strength training to soccer referees
B. Baydemir, H. ö. Yurdakul, S. Aksoy
P J M H S Vol. 15, No.10, OCT 2021 2937
for 8 weeks. In the study, it was found that football referees
had positive improvements in physical and physiological
parameters (resting heart rate, total body fat percentage,
vertical jump distance, flexibility, aerobic endurance, speed
and agility).
Another study emphasized the importance of
prioritizing high-intensity aerobic exercise by experts
because of the high-intensity running during the match.
National and semi-professional football referees have
shown that the amount of high-intensity activity performed
in the first half may affect physical performance in the
second half and elicit several selected stepping or walking
needs to prevent accumulated fatigue
21,22
. In another study
23
examined the physical activity profiles and physiological
responses of 28 soccer referees who conducted matches
during the 2013 football season with the portable global
positioning system (GPS). As a result of the research, they
stated that football refereeing is a physically demanding
task that imposes high cardiorespiratory involvement and
metabolic demands.
CONCLUSIONS
Consequently, 16-week high-intensity interval training
(HIIT) and sprint training applied to football referees had a
positive impact on the referees' physical characteristics.
Also, as a result of these training sessions, football
referees' aerobic endurance running distances, MAXvo
2
values, and high-intensity interval running performances
were increased positively, and recurring speedrunning
times decreased positively. This research can be used as a
reference for research on football referees, athletic
performance experts, referee coaches, coaches to design
referee training, and maximizing the referees'
performances.
Acknowledgements: Would like to thank the President
and members of the Çanakkale Provincial Board of
Referees, the football referees who participated in the
study, and the students who took part in the tests.
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