The Effect Of A Programmed Hydration Strategy In The Physical Performance Of Soccer Referees During An Amateur Championship

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PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of a programmed hydration strategy, in physical performance of soccer referees METHODS Ten soccer referees were evaluated, average age of 37.1 ± 5.0 years, being three federate and 7 non federate members of Soccer Referees Union of São Paulo State (SAFESP), in matches valid for the Championship of the “Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil” (OAB), divided in two categories: master and principal. To accomplish this research, the referees were weighed before and after the matches. After weighing, diuresis was quantified whenever necessary. The heart rate monitoring, the thermal stress evaluation and the filming of the referees motion were performed during all the matches. The method used in this study was the Cross Over, when in an alternate way, the referees used the habitual hydration strategy (HHS), 765 ml of water, and the proposed hydration strategy (PHS), 1300 ml of isotonic fluid, during the soccer matches. RESULTS The analyzed variables _ total distance covered, percentage difference of the total distance covered in the second half time in relation to the first half time, total of sprints, average heart rate of the first and second times, difference of body weight and volume of fluid intake, dehydration percentage, sudoresis and thermal stress rate _ did not show a statistically significant difference, p <0.05. However, there was an expressive trend of the percentage difference of the total distance covered from the second to the first half time (descriptive level of 0.016) and of other variables related to the loss and replacement of fluids. CONCLUSIONS Although the analyzed variables did not show statistically significant differences between the PHS and the HHS, we could find out the existence of important trends like supply of energy for the exercises of moderate intensity and long lasting and a better use of the heat loss mechanism during the exercise. These trends suggest that the proposed hydration strategy in this study may optimize the physical performance of soccer referees.