Changes in performance on physical capacity tests after three months of cross-training among elite male football referees in Burkina Faso

Abstract

The performance of the football referee is partly determined by his physical abilities and cross-training is an effective training method. The aim of this study was to measure the effects of three months of cross-training on performance in physical field tests among elite soccer referees in Burkina Faso. Methods: It was carried out with 28 male referees, divided into two groups: cross-training group (CTG) and usual training group (UTG). CTG and UTG went through cross-training and regular elite referee training in Burkina Faso, respectively. max, running times over 10 m (RT10 m), 40 m (RT40 m) single sprint, Illinois agility test (RTIAT), and the mean running time to the repeated sprint ability test (RSAmean) were studied. The significance level of the statistical tests carried out was set at p < 0.05. Results: Significant improvements were observed in CTG for: max (+3.6%; p = 0.0009), RT10 m (-9.6%; p = 0.009), RT40 m (-3.2%; p = 0.0009), RTIAT (-4.8%; p = 0.0009) and RSAmean (-1.4%; p = 0.002). In UTG, performance was improved for: max (+0.6%; p = 0.01), RT10 m (-1.5%; p = 0.01), RTIAT (-1.8%; p = 0.008). Improvements were greater in CTG than in UTG for: max (+3.6% versus +0.6%; p = 0.000007), RT10 m (-9.6% versus -1.5%; p = 0.0001) and RTIAT (-4.8% versus -1.8%; p = 0.001). Conclusion: The results indicate that cross-training induces an improvement in performance on the tests used among elite football referees in Burkina Faso. These effects on cardiac physiology must be evaluated in these referees to determine the risk incurred by exposure to this method.