The The influence of age and refereeing experience on the official matches’ physical and physiological responses of football referees

This study analyzed the influence of age, refereeing experience, and experience at the current competitive level on amateur football referees’ physical and physiological responses. Twenty-three referees (age: 25.65 ± 3.30 years) from the División de Honor de Vizcaya (Spain) participated. Physical responses (e.g., distance, power, speed, cadence, ground contact time, stiffness) were measured using a Stryd Power Meter, while physiological responses (e.g., heart rate, training impulse) were monitored via Polar Team 2. A split-group analytical design using independent-samples test was used to examine differences between groups, as well as correlation analyses to explore associations between experience-related variables and match responses. Referees were grouped by age (< 26 vs. > 26 years), refereeing experience (< 9 vs. > 9 years), and experience in the current category (< 3 vs. > 3 years). Older referees showed lower vertical oscillation (p < 0.05, d = -1.12 to -1.85) and longer ground contact time (p < 0.05, d = 1.18). More experienced referees covered less distance and had lower power and speed (p < 0.05, d = -1.04 to -1.93). Referees with greater experience at the current competition level registered higher peak power and speed (p < 0.05, d = 0.91 to 1.13). In conclusion, greater refereeing experience and familiarity with the competition level help referees optimize their physical performance, allowing them to execute high-intensity efforts during key match moments.