Comparing the Aerobic Fitness of Professional Male Soccer Players and Soccer Referees

We looked to compare the aerobic performance between professional soccer referees and players. Fifty male soccer referees and 61 male soccer players were tested on a treadmill. The referees and players possessed 15 +/- 7 years and 7 +/- 3 years of experience in soccer, respectively. Significant differences were observed between the referees and players with regards to: age (34.8 +/- 4.6 years vs 20.8 +/- 2.7 years; P < 0.001, maximum oxygen uptake (54.7 +/- 5.4 mL center dot kg(-1)center dot min(-1) vs 58.8 +/- 4.4 mL center dot kg(-1)center dot min(-1); P < 0.001), and maximal heart rate in peak exercise (184 +/- 11 bpm vs 192 +/- 9 bpm, P < 0.001). Less significant differences also were observed and included; running speed at the maximum oxygen uptake (16.6 +/- 1 km center dot h(-1) vs 16.4 +/- 1.1 km center dot h(-1)), running speed at the ventilatory threshold (213.5 +/- 1.1 km center dot h(-1) vs 13.2 +/- 0.9 km center dot h(-1)), and percentage of maximal oxygen uptake at the ventilatory threshold (285.1% +/- 3.2% vs 84.1% +/- 6.2%). The effect size of most comparative variables between the two groups was small (<0.6). Older elite-level soccer referees are able to reach and maintain aerobic physical fitness levels similar to professional soccer players. Aerobic physical fitness may be a measurable factor for maintaining elite-level soccer licensure rather than age alone.