Influence of Football Match-Play on Isometric Knee Flexion Strength and Passive Hip Flexion Range of Motion in Football Referees and Assistant Referees.

Vicente Fernández-Ruiz,José Pino-Ortega,Víctor Moreno-Pérez,Javier Sánchez-Sánchez,Pablo Terrón-Manrique,Juan Del Coso,Marco Beato,Álvaro López-Samanes

doi:10.3390/ijerph182211941

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the acute effect of officiating a football (soccer) match on isometric knee flexion strength and passive hip flexion range-of-motion (ROM) in referees and assistant football referees. Twelve referees (25.3 ± 3.3 years) and twenty-three assistant referees (25.1 ± 4.8 years) underwent measurements on isometric knee flexion strength and passive hip flexion ROM before and after officiating an official football match. Referees’ and assistant referees’ running patterns were monitored during the match using GPS technology. In comparison to pre-match values, referees reduced their isometric knee flexion strength (−12.36%, p = 0.046, Effect size [ES] = −0.36) in the non-dominant limb, while no significant differences were reported in the dominant limb (−0.75%, p = 0.833, ES = −0.02). No effect of the match was found in hip flexion ROM values in dominant (−4.78%, p = 0.102, ES = −0.15) and non-dominant limb (5.54%, p = 0.544, ES = 0.19). In assistant referees, the pre-to-post-match changes in isometric knee flexion strength (dominant limb −3.10%, p = 0.323, ES = −0.13; non-dominant limb −2.18%, p = 0.980, ES= 0.00) and hip flexion ROM (dominant limb 1.90% p = −0.816, ES = 0.13; non-dominant limb 3.22% p = 0.051, ES = 0.23) did not reach statistical significance. Officiating a match provoked a reduction in isometric knee flexion strength in the non-dominant limb of football referees, while no differences were reported in assistant referees.

Highlights

The main results of this study showed that officiating a football match produced a decrease in isometric knee flexion strength in the non-dominant limb of main referees, while no other significant differences were found in hamstring muscle strength of the dominant side nor in hip flexion ROM
This study showed that officiating a football match provoked a reduction in isometric knee flexion strength in the non-dominant limb in main referees, while no differences were reported in assistant referees
The present data reflect hamstring muscle fatigue during the match which may lead to an increased risk of hamstring muscle injury in football referees

Summary

Introduction

Football (soccer) is an explosive team sport where players perform short and repeated periods of high-intensity anaerobic exercise interspersed with recovery periods of lower intensity [1,2]. Football players cover more than 10 km per match with ~600 m at above 21 km/h [3,4]. Professional football referees need an optimal physical condition to ensure that they follow the course of the game during the explosive movements, changes of directions and sprints performed by the players. It is worth to mention that referees have to be in the correct location and at the right time in every match play of the game and they need to follow players’ actions closely, Int. J.

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