Football referee's dilemma: negotiation between motor and cognitive tasks

Football referees are exposed to a substantial level of motor and cognitive load during a game and perform dual tasks (DT) to make the best decisions. The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate referees' motor performances during DT with different cognitive loads and compare their performances and those of the athletes.

Recruited 42 male referees and 60 male athletes completed the Edgren Side Step Test (ESST) as a single motor task (ST) and Multiple Object Tracking (MOT) Test at two different speeds (240 ms to 300 ms) at cognitive ST. Then, the tests were conducted concurrently as DT. Dual-task costs (DTC) were calculated.

The comparison of ESST ST scores revealed that the scores of the referees were significantly higher than those of the athletes (P<0.001). The ESST and MOT scores of referees and the athletes significantly decreased during the DT (P<0.001 in both). Comparison of groups showed that the referees' ESST scores were significantly higher during the DT (P=0.026), while the groups' responses were similar regarding MOT scores (P=0.476). No differences were found in motor and cognitive performance DTC scores between the groups (P=0.465, P=0.184, respectively).

DT reduced the motor and cognitive performances of both referees and athletes. Considering the importance of referees' motor and cognitive performance and ability to make correct decisions during the match, it is thought that training aimed at developing DT performances can be useful.