National vs. Non-National Soccer Referee: Physiological, Physical, and Psychological Characteristics

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The objectives of the present study were to analyze the relationship between psychological variables (self-esteem, anxiety and self-confidence) assessed before the competition and physical and physiological responses demonstrated during the competition in soccer referees and to compare these psychophysical and physiological responses by category (CAT; national and non-national). Method: A total of 153 soccer referees participated (age Mage = 23.2; SD = 4.8 years; experience Mage = 6.0; SD = 4.5 years) in the study. The CSAI-2 and Rosenberg questionnaires were conducted before the match, and match performance data were collected using GPS devices. Results: The results showed significant differences in self-esteem and self-confidence across CATs (p < .001; d > .84). The national referees had higher psychological and physical-physiological responses (mean and maximum heart rate) Some correlations were observed among the psychophysical and physiological responses, CAT and age, demonstrating that the age could explain up to 48.4% of the variance the referee CAT (p < .001) and this CAT could explain self-esteem, anxiety and self-confidence by up to 20% of the variance. Conclusions: national referees presented better psychological responses prior to the competition, and also obtained greater physical and physiological records, which could be translated into a better position on the pitch in conflicting plays in order to make a right and just decision.

KEYWORDS:

• Referee
• soccer
• category
• anxiety
• GPS
• self-confidence
• self-esteem

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all the soccer referees of Spain who have participated voluntarily in this study.This work has been funded by the project PPJIA2020.04, of the Precompetitive Research Projects program for Young Researchers of the Own Plan 2020, of the University of Granada.