Introduction: Cross-training is effective in developing the physical abilities of
athletes, but its short-term effects are little known among referees. The purpose
of this study was to determine the effects of a five-week cross-training
block on the physical performance of soccer referees. Methods: It was carried
out with 18 elite referees in Benin, divided into two equal groups: one experimental
group (EG) and the other control group (CG), respectively subject to
cross-training and ordinary training. The tests of squat jumps, counter movement,
isolated sprints over 10 m, over 40 m, Illinois agility, capacity for repeated
sprints and the Yo-Yo IRT2 were carried out before (M1) and after
(M2) training. The Wilcoxon and Mann Whitney U rank tests were used for
comparisons between M1 and M2, then between EG and CG. Results: At the
end of training, V O2max (+2.8% versus +0.2%; p = 0.0004), squat jump
height (+8.1% versus +0.7%; p = 0.002), counter movement (+6.0% vs +1.0%;
p = 0.04), performance in isolated sprint tests over 10 m (−3.7% vs −0.0%; p =
0.02), 40 m (−16.4% vs −0.04%; p = 0.0003), Illinois Agility (−1.3% vs −0.5%;
p = 0.03), repeated sprints (−2.1% vs −0.1%; p = 0.001) were more improved
in GE than in GC. Conclusion: In five weeks, cross-training improved the
physical abilities that determine the performance of the football referee. Its
long-term effects will need to be assessed to complete these results.

Football Referees, Cross-Training, Physical Tests