The physical ability of the soccer referee when applying FIFA’s new tests series

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the fitness level of professional referees, using the new sequence of physical tests adopted by FIFA. All referees credited by the Football Federation of Paraná - FPF, were evaluated by the Physical Evaluation Committee FPF for the 2005 season. The sample was constituted by 224 referees which was 100% of the evaluated ones. The standard FIFA test demands 12 minutes run (Cooper’s test), two sprints of 50 meters and two sprints of 200 meters, both intercalated. The referee media in the Cooper’s test ran 2791 ± 182.31 m in 12 minutes. The 50 m sprint was done in 7.07 ± 0.41 s and the 200 m sprint in 30.38 ± 2.01s. The referees from the Curitiba region presented the lowest level of physical performance in Paraná State.