Anthropometric profile and physical fitness of soccer referees from La Guajira, Colombia

Resumen

The role of soccer referee requires physical preparation and body composition that meet the physical demands of the sport. In this sense, as soccer is becoming increasingly demanding every day, referees must be able to meet these new challenges. This study describes the anthropometric profile and physical condition of Colombian soccer referees in order to design training plans based on scientific and
methodological criteria. For this, nine soccer referees aged 23.3 ± 5.04 years participated in a non-experimental study that was descriptive in nature and followed a quantitative approach. Body mass index, body fat percentage, muscle mass and physical condition were analyzed using physical tests proposed by FIFA (6x40 m, yo-yo, CODA, 5x30 acceleration and ARIET). Results are expressed as means, standard deviations, and minimum and maximum values. Findings show that a body mass index of 22.19 ± 2.58 corresponded to a normal score. Somatochart outcomes
reveal the group to be meso-endomorphs with a fat mass of 11.8 ± 1.8 and a muscle mass of 38.19 ± 3.06. Tests revealed referees to be, generally, in excellent physical condition, with the exception of the dynamic yo-yo test.