Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on match activity and physical performance in professional football referees.
Biol Sport
; 38(4): 761-765, 2021 Oct.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1596159
ABSTRACT
To investigate the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on match-play metrics in professional football referees during official matches of the Spanish professional leagues. Forty-two professional football referees from the First (n = 20) and Second Division (n = 22) were monitored during 564 official games using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. Data of matches before lockdown were compared to matches after resumption of the competition. Compared to pre-lockdown, in the referees of the First Division there was a decrease in the total running distance and the distance covered at all speed thresholds > 6 km · h-1 after lockdown (P < .05). In the Second Division referees, the post-lockdown measurement only showed a decrease in the running distance at 21-24 km · h-1 (P < .05), with no changes in the other speed thresholds. The post-lockdown measurement showed an increased distance covered at < 6 km · h-1 and the number of accelerations for both First and Second Division referees (P < .05). Referees' match activity was reduced due to the COVID-19 lockdown, while the effect on running parameters was more pronounced in First Division referees.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
Language:
English
Journal:
Biol Sport
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Biolsport.2021.109451
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