Alberto Inácio da Silva; Héctor de los Santos & Carlos Cabrera

Summary

The aim of this study was to comparative analysis of morphological profile of elite soccer referees from Brazil and Uruguay.The sample consisted of 27 referees from Brazil, with a mean age of 37.6 ± 4.2 years, weight 79.1 ± 7.9 kg and height 179.1 ± 4.8 cm; and 14 referees from Uruguaymean age 37.8 ± 3 years, weight 74.3 ± 7.4 kg and height 175 ± 6.8 cm.The variables of body weight, height, skinfolds, body girths and bone widths were measured in order to estimate body composition and somatotype of the referees.To determine the body composition we used seven skinfolds, four circumferences and seven widths.With respect to the data of body composition, when comparing the data with the Brazilian and Uruguay, there was a significant statistical difference between body weight, BMI and body fat percentage (p> 0.05).Although the somatotype of both groups are classified as endomorph-mesomorph (somatotype average 3.7 to 4.0 -2.0), the Brazilian officials showed a body fat percentage higher, which might constitutea physical performance limiting factor during the match and could be monitored through a program of good eating habits and physical fitness.

KEY WORDS: Referees; Football (soccer); Body composition.

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