Anthropometric profile, physical fitness and cognitive functioning of elite Zimbabwean football referees

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to determine the anthropometric profile, body composition, physical fitness and executive cognitive functioning (ECF) of elite male Zimbabwean football referees.A total of 41 male referees took part in the study (M age = 34.89, SD = 0.13 years). Their mean body mass was 70.52 ± 10.50kg, height: 175.72 ± 6.86cm, body mass index: 20.79 ± 2.79kg/m2, waist-hip ratio: 0.83 ± 0.04, sum of six skinfolds: 65.77 ± 24.75mm, and body fat percentage: 11.97 ± 2.60%. A significant difference (p = .04) was found between the 21 referees (177.85 ± 7.32cm) and 20 assistant referees (173.50 ± 5.69cm), with the referees being taller. Their somatotype was 2.68-4.62-2.65 classifying them as balanced mesomorphs.Their physical fitness results were as follows: modified sit and reach (28.31 ± 6.42cm), vertical jump (38.63 ± 5.63cm), one minute sit up (37.56 ± 9.46), and one minute push up (26.13 ± 6.89). Referees on the Fe´de´ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA, n = 8) accreditation list performed significantly (p = .04) more sit ups in one minute than those on the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA, n = 33) list (36.09 ± 9.26). They recorded a best time of 5.45 ± 0.22s and a mean time of 5.62 ± 0.19s in the 6 x 40 m repeated sprint ability (RSA) test, with the FIFA referees (5.34 ± 0.25s) performing significantly better (p = .03) than the ZIFA referees (5.52 ± 0.20s).The participants (n = 38) completed the Modified Stroop task before and after a maximal effort on the change of direction ability (CODA) and Yo Yo intermittent recovery (YYIR) level one test to determine their ECF and the effect of strenuous physical activity on their ECF. Mean time to complete the CODA test was 9.60 ± 0.42s. They covered a distance of 950 ± 279m during the YYIR test, yielding a VO2max of 44.38 ± 2.35ml/min/kg-1, reaching a maximum heart rate of 189.66 ± 8.61 beats per minute or 101.26 ± 4.04% of their age predicted HRmax. Their ECF improved from pre to post-test as follows: C1 (12.73 ± 13.51%, p = .01) C2 (5.48 ± 8.20%, p = .01), C3 (9.15 ± 15.20%, p = .04), and C4 (8.42 ± 18.01%, p = .06). Significant negative correlations of moderate strength were found between the standardised physical performance score and the Modified Stroop test results for C1 pre-test (r = -0.40, p = .01), C3 pre-test (r = -0.34, p = .04), as well as for all four of the conditions at post-testing (C1: r = -0.35, p = .03; C2: r = -0.36, p = .03; C3: r = -0.32, p = .05; C4: r = -0.35, p = .03). These results indicate a significant relationship between physical fitness and ECF.This study lays the foundation for the development of scientific training programmes for elite Zimbabwean referees, as it highlighted strengths and weaknesses. The effectiveness of such programmes is subject to further investigation.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University