ABSTRACT
Soccer refereeing has been the subject of many papers, which has enabled the publication of narrative reviews of the physiological demands of matches and associated fitness requirements. Fitness training for soccer referees is considered a relevant part of the development of match officials. However, the strategies used are settled mainly as indirect evidence of effectiveness from soccer players descriptive and training studies. Given the complexity of match-related physical performance, it is deemed that elite field referees (FR) and assistant referees (AR) should train in agility and strength, and use appropriate evidence-based strategies to also prevent injuries. The increasing incidence of attack and counter-attack actions in team tactics has produced an increasing involvement of elite ARs in long sprints in order to keep up with play. This suggests a logical interest in long-sprint ability training in elite soccer FRs. The scientific evidence has shown that FR injury rates are similar to those for players when considering non-contact events.
