title: The influence of professional status on maximal and rapid isometric torque characteristics in elite soccer referees.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of maximal and rapid isometric torque characteristics of the posterior muscles of the hip and thigh and lower-body power to discriminate between professional status in full-time and part-time professional soccer referees. Seven full-time (mean ± SE: age = 36 ± 2 years; mass = 82 ± 4 kg; and height = 179 ± 3 cm) and 9 part-time (age = 34 ± 2 years; mass = 84 ± 2 kg; and height = 181 ± 2 cm) professional soccer referees performed 2 isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the posterior muscles of the hip and thigh. Peak torque (PT) and absolute and relative rate of torque development (RTD) were calculated from a torque-time curve that was recorded during each MVC. Lower-body power output was assessed through a vertical jump test. Results indicated that the rapid torque characteristics were greater in the full-time compared with the part-time referees for absolute RTD (p = 0.011) and relative RTD at 1/2 (p = 0.022) and 2/3 (p = 0.033) of the normalized torque-time curve. However, no differences were observed for PT (p = 0.660) or peak power (Pmax, p = 0.149) between groups. These findings suggest that rapid torque characteristics of the posterior muscles of the hip and thigh may be sensitive and effective measures for discriminating between full-time and part-time professional soccer referees. Strength and conditioning coaches may use these findings to help identify professional soccer referees with high explosive strength-related capacities and possibly overall refereeing ability.
authors.affiliation: 1Applied Musculoskeletal and Human Physiology Research Laboratory, Department of Health and Human Performance, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma; and 2Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Health, Exercise, and Sports Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.
authors.forename: Ty B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Matt J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hawkey
authors.forename: Doug B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Brennan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005080:Exercise Test; D006615:Hip; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013848:Thigh; D019415:Torque