Assessment of physical fitness status of football referees in Kwara State, Nigeria

The study investigated the physical fitness status of football referees in Kwara State Nigeria. An ex-post fact design was used for the study, the population comprised all football referees in one hundred and sixty eight (168) active football referee. One hundred and thirty-five (135) were sampled through purposive sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection are standardized, they include: stop watch, mats, flexi bile meter, whistle, and the researcher's data collection form. Data collection was conducted by the researcher and two trained research assistants. Data were analyzed using inferential statistics of t-test to test the hypotheses at 0.05 alpha levels. Finding revealed that there was significant relationship between fitness status and grade of Kwara State football referees. Finding of revealed there was a significant relationship between grade and body mass index (BMI) X² (134) = 117.077> 1.655, speed X² (134) = 576.871> 1.655, cardio respiratory endurance X² (134) = 335.211> 1.655 and flexibility X² (134) = 24.607> 1.655. (It was concluded that there was significant relationship between fitness level and grade of Kwara State football referees.) The study recommended that training officers and referees should always consider biological factor, cardio respiratory endurance and speed while planning physical exercise training programme.