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Referees are an integral part of soccer, and their performance is fundamental for regular match flow, irrespective of the competition level or age classes. So far, scientific interest was mainly limited to aspects of exercise physiology and match performance of soccer referees, whereas recommendations for nutrition were adopted from active professional soccer. In contrast to elite soccer players, most referees are non‐professional and engaged in different occupations. Furthermore, elite referees and soccer players differ in regard to age, body composition, aerobic capacity, and training load. Thus, referees' caloric needs and recommended daily carbohydrate intake may generally be lower compared to active soccer players, with higher intakes limited to periods of increased training load and match days or for referees engaged in physical demanding occupations. With respect to fluid intake, pre‐match and in‐match hydration strategies generally valid in sports are recommended also for referees to avoid cognitive and physical performance loss, especially when officiating in extreme climates and altitude. In contrast to elite soccer, professional assistance concerning nutrition and training is rarely available for national elite referees of most countries. Therefore, special attention on education about adequate nutrition and fluid intake, about the dietary prevention of deficiencies (iron in female referees, vitamin D irrespective of sex and age), and basic precautions for travels abroad is warranted. In conclusion, the simple adoption of nutritional considerations from active soccer for referees may not be appropriate. Recommendations should respect gender differences, population‐specific physical characteristics, and demands just as well as individual characteristics and special needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study evaluated the effects of a newly developed injury prevention programme for children’s football (“FIFA 11+ Kids”) on motor performance in 7–12-year-old children. We stratified 12 football teams (under-9/-11/-13 age categories) into intervention (INT,N = 56 players) and control groups (CON,N = 67). INT conducted the 15-min warm-up programme “FIFA 11+ Kids” twice a week for 10 weeks. CON followed a standard warm-up (sham treatment). Pre- and post-tests were conducted using: single leg stance; Y-balance test; drop and countermovement jump; standing long jump; 20-m sprint; agility run; slalom dribble; and wall volley test. We used magnitude-based inferences and linear mixed-effects models to analyse performance test results. We observed likely beneficial effects favouring INT in Y-balance (right leg; +3.2%; standardised mean difference (SMD) = 0.34;P = 0.58) and agility run (+3.6%; SMD = 0.45;P = 0.008). Possibly beneficial effects were found in Y-balance, drop jump reactive strength index, drop jump height, countermovement jump, standing long jump, slalom dribble and wall volley test. At least possibly beneficial improvements in favour of “FIFA 11+ Kids” were observed in nearly all parameters. Most effects were small, but slight improvements in motor performance may potentially contribute to a reduction of injury risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency and characteristics of injury and musculo-skeletal complaints in Swiss football referees of all levels. A representative sample of 489 Swiss referees was interviewed regarding their socio-demographic characteristics, refereeing qualifications, time spent in training and in matches, history of injuries and musculo-skeletal complaints caused by training or refereeing, and other medical problems. A total of 110 referees (22.5%) reported having suffered at least one injury related to officiating, and 126 referees (25.8%) at least one refereeing-related musculo-skeletal complaint. Thigh strains and ankle sprains were the most frequent injuries, with the most frequent locations of complaints being the knee and lower back. The incidence of match injuries in the last 12 months was on average 2.06 per 1000 match hours; the incidence of training injuries was substantially lower (0.09 per 1000 training hours). The injury rates were similar for referees officiating at an adult level, but lower at a junior level. In comparison with elite football referees, the incidence of training injuries and the prevalence of musculo-skeletal complaints were lower in amateur referees. Nevertheless, preventive programs are indicated for referees at all levels, especially when considering the length of a referee's career. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quadriceps muscle strength, which is essential for the function and stability of the knee, has been found to be impaired even years after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. However, the neuromuscular alterations that could account for such muscle weakness remain unclear.Questions/purposes: We investigated (1) the side-to-side asymmetries in quadriceps muscle strength 6 months after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, (2) the physiologic mechanisms (neural versus muscular) underlying muscle weakness, and (3) the impact of quadriceps weakness on muscle control at submaximal force levels.Patients and Methods: We tested 14 volunteers (10 men, four women) with an average age of 44 +/- 9 years (range, 24-59 years) at 6 +/- 1 months after unilateral medial arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. We measured maximal voluntary strength and muscle activation during isometric, concentric, and eccentric contractions using isokinetic dynamometry and surface EMG, respectively. We assessed vastus lateralis muscle size and architecture using ultrasonography. We measured muscle control at submaximal force levels with a repositioning test (knee proprioception) and a low-force target-tracking task (steadiness, accuracy).Results: Isometric and concentric quadriceps strength and vastus lateralis EMG activity were lower on the involved than on the uninvolved side. Muscle architecture and muscle control did not differ between the involved and uninvolved sides.Conclusions: Our results showed quadriceps weakness exists 6 months after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. As suggested by the EMG results, this is likely attributable to neural impairments (activation failure) that affect muscle control at maximal but not submaximal force outputs.Level Of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined the physiology, training and more recently injury profile of the soccer referee, and these have involved almost exclusively male referees. Purpose: To analyse the frequency and characteristics of injuries and musculoskeletal problems in female referees selected for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2007. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective and prospective descriptive epidemiological study. METHODS: During the preparation camps a few months before the FIFA Women's World Cup 2007, all 81 preselected female referees completed a questionnaire on injuries and musculoskeletal problems. During the final 32 matches of the tournament in China, all injuries, musculoskeletal problems and related treatment of the 36 officiating referees were documented. RESULTS: Almost 50% of the referees reported having incurred at least one injury during their career that had led to time loss from the game. In the previous 12 months, 13 (16%) referees reported having sustained an injury and 64 (79%) reported musculoskeletal problems related to refereeing. During the World Cup and 14 (39%) referees incurred an injury and 17 (33%) were treated for musculoskeletal problems. The commonest location of injuries and problems were hamstrings, quadriceps, calf and ankle. The prospectively collected data found an incidence of 34.7 match injuries per 1000 match hours (95% CI 4.2 to 65.1). CONCLUSION: Top-level female referees are exposed to an even greater risk of injury and/or musculoskeletal problems related to officiating than are male referees. Considering the growth of women's soccer, injury prevention programmes should be specifically developed for female referees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knee outcome survey-activities of daily living scale (KOS-ADLS) is a patient-reported specific measure of knee function. The KOS-ADLS includes items related to both symptoms and functional limitations experienced during ADL. The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of a cross-culturally adapted German version of the KOS-ADLS. 108 consecutive knee patients ( n = 57 males/51 females) scheduled for outpatient physical therapy at an orthopedic hospital were enrolled in the investigation. For the reliability analysis, 50 patients were asked to complete the questionnaire on two non-consecutive days. To assess the validity of the KOS-ADLS, 58 additional patients answered the questionnaire in addition to performing a series of other related tests: (1) visual analogue scale for knee pain intensity, (2) The Get-up-and Go, and (3) time for ascending/descending stairs. The functional tests were selected because they directly related to specific items in the questionnaire and were thought to reflect the major areas of disability for this patient group The reliability analysis demonstrated that the German version of the KOS-ADLS had a good reliability (ICC range 0.94–0.97) and internal consistency (alpha 0.89). The functional tests (e.g. Get-up and Go, ascending/descending stairs) showed moderate correlations, whereas the visual analogue pain scale was highly correlated with the subscores and total score of the KOS-ADLS. The psychometric characteristics of the German version of the KOS-ADLS produced reliable and valid results, as the original version, in detection of an individual’s symptom and function related knee joint impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Precompetition screening was implemented for male referees during the 2010 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Word Cup. In contrast, female football referees have been neglected in this respect although they experience similar physical work loads compared to male referees.Methods: The standardised football-specific pre-competition medical assessment (PCMA) was performed in 51 referees and assistant referees selected for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup.Results: Family history for sudden cardiac death (SCD) was positive in four referees (7.8%), but cardiac examinations did not reveal any pathological findings. Training-unrelated ECG changes were identified in three referees (5.9%), all without correlates in echocardiography or clinical examination. Most common echocardiography findings (66.6%, n=34) were asymptomatic tricuspid and mitral regurgitations.Conclusions: During the present screening, no elite female referee was identified being at risk for SCD, and no referee had to be excluded from participating in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]