The physical capacity of CBF soccer referees is markedly changed by referee commission policy

Abstract

This research study aimed at determining the level of physical aptitude among professional soccer referees after the changes in the Federal Referee Commission in the state of Paraná, Brazil. Twenty-five male referees were surveyed. The referees’ participation in the official physical aptitude tests taken in 2000 and 2004 was used as the criterium for choosing the surveyed subjects. The set of tests was based on the ones administered by FIFA. Resulsts analysis showed that in four years there was a decrease in aerobics and anaerobics capacity. This reduction was blamed on the lack of integrity from the Referee Commission when administering the tests, the removal of the physical conditioning classes previously offered by the Referee Association in the sate of Paraná, and the lack of constant physical activity practices by the referees. KEYWORDS: soccer referees – physical aptitude – physical tests – FIFA.