Effect of Programmed Hydration Protocols on the Physical Performance of Football Referees in a Football Amateur Championship Matches

The aim of this prospective, cross-sectional study was to assess the physiological responses and physical performance of football referees submitted to hydration protocols with isotonic beverages or water. Ten male referees (mean age 37.1 +/- 5.0 years) of amateur championship matches affiliated to the Union of Football Referees of the State of Sao Paulo were evaluated. Pre- and postmatch body weight, post-match weigh-in diuresis, heart rate, and heat stress (modified method of Yaglou and Minard) were measured. The referees alternately used the Habitual Hydration Protocol (HHP) (800 mL of water), extracted from a questionnaire answered by the referees,and Proposed Hydration Proposal (PHP) (1300 mL of isotonic beverages). The games were videotaped, and movement patterns were evaluated using the method of Withers et al., and the total distance traveled and mean displacement velocity were analyzed using the method of Valquer. There was no significant difference in the total distance traveled, the total distance traveled second/first half ratio, mean heart rate, preand post-match body weight, volume of ingested fluids, sweating rate, heat stress, and percentage of dehydration between the HHP and PHP (p<0.05). The authors conclude that the use of water or isotonic beverages did not alterthe thermoregulation mechanisms and physical performance of football referees.