ABSTRACT

Aim: In this study, the effects of high-intensity interval training and sprint training on amateur football referees running performances expressed by the FIFA Athletic Test, Cooper Test and MAXVO2 were investigated.

Methods: Football referees average age (23.88±2.10); average height (181.16±1.99) cm; body weight (74.42±2.46) kg and body mass index (22.66±.62) kg/m2 calculated. They were applied high-intensity interval training and speed training 3 days a week for 16 weeks. FIFA Athletic Test and Cooper Test were applied in the pre-test and post-test to see the effect of the training process on the referees. SPSS package program was used to analyze the data. "Paired Sample t-Test" was used for the normally distributed data, and the "Wilcoxon Signed Rows Test", which is a nonparametric test, for non-normally distributed data, and the effect size was calculated. The results were evaluated according to the significance level "0.01" and "0.05".

Results: When the FIFA Athletic Test, Cooper Test, body weight, and BMI pre-test and post-test values were compared in football referees, a statistically significant difference was found between the first measurement and the second measurement (p<0.05).

Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was observed that the training sessions had a positive effect on amateur football referees' running performances expressed by FIFA Athletic Test and Cooper Test and MAXVO2. This training program is recommended for the improvement of the degree-based running performances of amateur football referees.