The aim of this paper was to examine the differences in the external and internal load in amateur match officials between the 1st and 2nd half and among different 15 min periods. Twenty-three field referees (FRs) and 46 assistant referees (ARs) from the Spanish División de Honor participated in this study. Match external and internal loads were monitored showing that FRs recorded a lower Power_mean, Speed_mean, Cadence_mean and Stiffness_mean (p < 0.05; d = 0.52 to 0.57) during the 2nd half and they also recorded a lower HR_mean, and HR_peak, and spent less time in zone 5 (p < 0.05; d = 0.50 to 0.62). The FRs’ match load decreased during the match but they performed higher Power_mean and covered more distance in the last 15 min of the match (p < 0.01; d = 0.87 to 4.28). The ARs external load did not show significant variations between halves, but ARs recorded a lower HR_mean and spent less time in zone 5 (p < 0.01; d = 0.41 to 0.63), and the highest values of Power_mean, Speed_mean, Cadence_mean and Vertical oscillation_mean during the first 15 min of the match (p < 0.05; d = 0.45 to 0.75). The highest values of HR_mean and distance covered were in the 0–15 min period. Results suggest that match load decreases as the match progresses because of the neuromuscular fatigue but increases in the last 15 min.

The main aim of this paper was to examine the association between prematch well-being status with match internal and external load in field (FR) and assistant (AR) soccer referees. Twenty-three FR and 46 AR participated in this study. The well-being state was assessed using the Hooper Scale and the match external and internal loads were monitored with Stryd Power Meter and heart monitors. While no significant differences were found in Hooper indices between match officials, FR registered higher external loads (p < 0.01; ES: 0.75 to 5.78), spent more time in zone 4 and zone 5, and recorded a greater training impulse (TRIMP) value (p < 0.01; ES: 1.35 to 1.62) than AR. Generally, no associations were found between the well-being variables and external loads for FR and AR. Additionally, no associations were found between the Hooper indices and internal loads for FR and AR. However, several relationships with different magnitudes were found between internal and external match loads, for FR, between power and speed with time spent in zone 2 (p < 0.05; r = −0.43), ground contact time with zone 2 and zone 3 (p < 0.05; r = 0.50 to 0.60) and power, speed, cadence and ground contact time correlated with time spent in zone 5 and TRIMP (p < 0.05 to 0.01; r = 0.42 to 0.64). Additionally, for AR, a relationship between speed and time in zone 1 was found (p < 0.05; r = −0.30; CL = 0.22). These results suggest that initial well-being state is not related to match officials’ performances during match play. In addition, the Stryd Power Meter can be a useful device to calculate the external load on soccer match officials.

Background/Aims: Table tennis performance is influenced by various factors such as technique, tactics, and fitness. Additionally, many shots are executed at high speeds, developing significant levels of explosive strength in the lower extremities. This study aimed to assess the jump capacity and the elasticity index of the lower limbs among young table tennis players based on sex. Additionally, this study assessed leg asymmetries between the dominant and non-dominant limbs during jump tests. Methods: A total of 40 players (20 boys and 20 girls), aged 16–18 years, participated in the study. Vertical countermovement jump, squat jump, and horizontal jump tests were conducted to evaluate both vertical and horizontal jumping capacities, as well as leg asymmetries between the dominant and non-dominant limbs. Results: Differences were observed in both vertical and horizontal jumps, with male players achieving better results in all jumping capacities. However, female players obtained better values in elastic index. Additionally, significant differences were found between dominant and non-dominant legs in both male and female players. Conclusions: Considering that explosive strength is one of the most essential physical capacities in this sport, this information could prove valuable for talent identification, the design of training programs, and the optimization of physical performance monitoring systems in table tennis.

Similar to conventional football, the modality dedicated to footballers with cerebral palsy (CP) requires referees who cope with the physical demands imposed during competitive matches to apply the rules of the game. While a significant body of research has explored the physical demands on referees in mainstream football, there is a noticeable lack of data regarding CP football. This study aimed to examine the physical response of international referees participating in different levels of world competitions for footballers with CP. Thirteen international referees, who officiated 49 matches in the men’s 2022 World Cup (1st to 15th ranked teams) and 2022 World Championships (16th to 30th ranked teams), participated in this study. A cross-sectional design was used to determine the physical responses and compare the 1st and 2nd halves and the performance in the different tournaments, recording physical variables throughout the matches. Significant higher physical responses were observed in the World Cup in comparison to the World Championship. Overall, high-level tournaments have been shown to elicit more intense physical responses from referees officiating CP football matches compared to lower-level tournaments. For the World Cup, a significantly higher number of accelerations and decelerations were registered in the 1st half compared to the 2nd half. This information may be useful for the strength and conditioning coaches of referees to plan weekly training sessions more specifically and adjust the periodical training load and post-match recovery protocols.

This study aimed to examine the physical response of international referees, participating in different levels of world competitions for footballers with cerebral palsy (CP). Thirteen international referees, who officiated 49 matches in the men’s 2022 World Cup (1st to 15th ranked teams) and 2022 World Championships (16th to 30th ranked teams), participated in this study. A cross-sectional design was used to determine the physical responses and compare the 1st and 2nd halves and the performance in the different tournaments, recording physical variables throughout the matches. Significant higher physical responses (p < 0.05; d = 0.50-0.93; moderate to large) were observed in the World Cup in comparison to the World Championship. Overall, high-level tournaments have been shown to elicit more intense physical responses from referees officiating CP football matches compared to lower-level tournaments. For the World Cup, significantly higher number of accelerations (p = 0.01; d = -0.55; moderate) and decelerations (p < 0.01; d = -0.54; moderate) were registered in the 1st half compared to the 2nd half. This information may be useful for the strength and conditioning coaches of referees to plan weekly training sessions more specifically and adjust the periodical training load and post-match recovery protocols.

Indar-entrenamenduan kargaren intentsitatea dosifikatzeko erabili izan diren adierazleekin entrenamendua planifikatzeko zailtasunak sor daitezke eta, horregatik, zenbait metodologia erabili behar dira. Lan honen helburua da indar-entrenamenduan exekuzio-abiaduraren monitorizazioa aztertzea, zehazki, kargen intentsitatearen preskripziorako, kargen bolumenaren preskripziorako, kirolarien ebaluazio neuromuskularrerako, eta feedbacka jasotzearen inpaktua aztertzeko. Exekuzio-abiadura entrenamendu-kargen intentsitatearen preskripziorako modu desberdinetan erabil daitekeela ikusi da. Gainera, karga/abiadura erlazio orokorra eta karga/abiadura erlazio indibiduala aztertu dira eta bakoitzaren onurak eta arazoak erakutsi dira. Exekuzio-abiaduraren bitartez, kargen bolumenaren kontrolerako abiadura-galeraren portzentaje ezberdinak erabiltzeak zer eragiten duen erakutsi da. Feedbackaren eraginari dagokionez, ikusi da errepikapen bakoitzaren ondorengo feedbacka dela egokiena. Amaitzeko, errendimendu neuromuskularraren ebaluaziorako bi metodo aurkeztu dira. Indar-entrenamenduan, exekuzio-abiaduraren bitartez kargak hobeto preskribatu, kontrolatu eta ebaluatu daitezkeela ondorioztatu da. Beraz, entrenatzaileei exekuzio-abiadura erabiltzea gomendatzen zaie.