ArticleBMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation2025
How do gender and competition level influence the physical demands in worst-case scenarios of elite football referees?
Article in BMC sports science, medicine & rehabilitation, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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8 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundThe aim of this study was to describe and compare the physical demands in Worst-Case Scenarios (WCS) across different competition levels in male and female football of Spanish elite football referees during matches, comparing competitions independently for male and female referees.
methodsPhysical demands (total distance [TD], total distance > 18 km/h [TD18], total distance > 21 km/h [TD21], total distance > 24 km/h [TD24], accelerations (> 3 m/s
resultsResults showed that male referees experienced higher physical demands, particularly during the shortest time windows of WCS (0.5 and 1 min), where the highest relative physical loads were observed. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between competitions, with higher demands recorded in the 2nd Division and Champions League. In contrast, female referees faced their greatest physical demands in national competitions, such as the Queen's Cup, compared to international competitions. Both genders demonstrated higher intensity during shorter time windows, highlighting the need to be prepared for short and high-intensity match periods.
conclusionsThe study concludes that physical demands vary according to gender and level of competition. Male referees face higher workloads, and female referees have different demands depending on the competitive context. These findings highlight the need for tailored training programs and recovery strategies to address the specific demands of referees across different match contexts. For male referees, training should emphasize short-duration, high-intensity efforts, especially for competitions such as the Second Division and Champions League. For female referees, programs should replicate the demands observed in national competitions like the Queen's Cup. These adaptations can improve performance, reduce injury risk, and enhance match officiating quality. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: not applicable.
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