Aerobic Fitness Relation to Match Performance of Japanese Soccer Referees

抄録

This study was conducted to investigate the relation between aerobic fitness parameters and match performance of Japanese soccer referees. This study examined 14 Japanese male referees (25.9 ± 3.1 yr) using a submaximal incremental treadmill test to ascertain the running speed at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (s-OBLA) and to estimate VO_2max from the heart rate. Match performances (total distance, high-intensity running (HIR: ≥ 15 km·h^-1) and distances from fouls) were calculated during competitive matches using data recorded from a GPS device and a video camera. The total distance covered during a match was 11.3 ± 0.6 km, of which 1.9 ± 0.4 km was covered by HIR. The mean distance from a foul was 14.4 ± 1.0 m. The s-OBLA was 14.5 ± 1.0 (12.6– 16.3) km·h^-1, which was correlated positively with the distance covered at HIR (r = 0.77; p < 0.05) and negatively with the mean distance from a foul (r = -0.62; p < 0.05). The estimated VO_2max was not related to these variables (p > 0.05). Results suggest that OBLA assessment is a good index of fit referees who can cover longer distances at high speed and judge foul plays from short distances.