Injuries in soccer (football) referees of Santa Catarina State

Sports injuries among athletes are highlighted in studies about soccer. By comparison, it has long been thought that football referees are equally susceptible to the same injuries as the football players. Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze the situations where professional soccer referees suffer injuries. The sample consisted of 101 male referees from the Santa Catarina Soccer Federation. Three situations were evaluated as to an increase in the referees' susceptibility to an injury, and whether the injury would be considered a sports injury. The situations included during a physical evaluation, a training session, and a match. Thirty-six referees (35.6%) reported that they had suffered 54 injuries during their career. Fifty-four injuries were identified. The referees reported 10 sprains, 19 strains, and 2 fractures. The assistant referees reported 5 sprains, 15 strains, 1 fracture, 1 dislocation, and 1 contusion. Thirty-nine percent (21) of the injuries occurred during the referees' training session. The findings indicate that while football referees suffer few injuries during the game, they do in fact suffer injuries during the training session or during physical tests. Therefore, the associations should be more responsible for the development of preventive training programs in the referee's routine preparation for refereeing Key word: Referees, Soccer, Injuries, Training