INTRODUCTION: In order to control and select the referees for performance in professional soccer, the Fédération Internacionale de Football Association (FIFA), considered the accomplishment of physical tests. However, the initial proposal of evaluation suffered modifications with the passing of the years, and the current model seems not to be ideal to evaluate the referees, in accordance with the physical profile requirement demonstrated during the games. OBJECTIVE: Therefore, the objectives of this study were: to identify the physical load of soccer referees in official games and to determine the physiological demands associates to the physical effort during the official games; and to analyze the current model of physical evaluation of the soccer referees. CONCLUSION: Referees cover an average of 10,000 meters during a game, being most of the time done with activities of low intensity. The activity profile is intermittent and the energy demand has predominance of the aerobic system, with important participation of the anaerobic system. The current tests applied are not compatible with the standard of physical requirement of a referee during a soccer game.
activity profile; physical load; physical tests
