Fitness level changes over an eight-week period in Maltese referees who follow the standard training programme

Abstract

Title: Fitness level changes over an eight-week period in Maltese referees who follow the standard training programme. Objective: The study aims to analyse the VO2 max of the participants over an 8-week period with testing undertaken through 4 sessions spread out over these 8 weeks. Method: This study uses the Cooper Test, which measures the distance a person can run in 12 minutes, with this distance being then converted into VO2 max using the test’s equation. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) was used to extract and analyse the data collected during this study. Results: The results showed that the fitness of the participants generally increased with training, but the increase was not a statistically significant one. Furthermore, the study indicates the importance of recovery in maintaining a high level of fitness and minimising the risk of injury. Conclusion: The current training programme offered to Maltese referees is enough to bring about an increase in fitness levels over an 8-week period. Including strength training in this programme may increase their fitness levels further and may also help to reduce the risk of injury in Maltese referees. Periods of increased match officiating would also necessitate a tailored training programme that allows proper recovery.