Activity analysis of English Premiership rugby football union refereeing

Rugby union referees' physical and physiological demands across different competitive levels

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to compare the match demands of officiating 15-a-side rugby union at different competitive levels.

METHODS

Data was collected using Global Navigation Satellite Systems from 21 referees during 82 competitive rugby union matches across three different competitive levels: 1) professional; 2) semi-professional; 3) amateur.

RESULTS

Compared with referees at the professional and semi-professional levels, referees at the amateur level covered less total distance (P=0.005). Additionally, these referees covered less distance jogging, and at low and medium intensity (all P<0.05), and had less time between repeated high-intensity efforts (P<0.001). Furthermore, compared with referees at the semi-professional and amateur levels, referees at the professional level had a higher sprint duration and covered more distance sprinting (all P<0.05), and achieved a higher maximal speed during the longest repeated high-intensity effort or "worst-case scenario" (P=0.026). The professional level referees also displayed a lower average heart rate (P<0.001), spent a higher percentage of time at <60% HR<inf>max</inf> (P<0.001), and a lower percentage of time between 71% and 80% HR<inf>max</inf> (P=0.004). Finally, external and internal load were strongly correlated for referees at the semi-professional level only (r=0.75, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the findings demonstrate that refereeing 15-a-side rugby union is more physically demanding at higher competitive levels, particularly in terms of high-intensity efforts. The results provide important information for practitioners involved in the physical preparation and training of rugby union referees.

Physical Demands of Refereeing Rugby Sevens Matches at Different Competitive Levels

Sant'Anna, RT, Roberts, SP, Moore, LJ, and Stokes, KA. Physical demands of refereeing rugby sevens matches at different competitive levels. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2019-The aim of this study was to compare the physical demands of officiating across different competitive levels in rugby sevens. An observational design was used involving 27 referees (26 men and 1 woman, age: 27 ± 6 years, body mass [mean ± SD]: 78.5 ± 9.3 kg, and height: 179 ± 5 cm). Global Navigation Satellite Systems data were collected across a total of 114 matches during 5 separate rugby sevens tournaments played in England-between May and July 2018-categorized into 4 competitive levels: (a) international, (b) professional, (c) semiprofessional, and (d) amateur. Compared with referees officiating at the international, professional, and semiprofessional levels, referees officiating at the amateur level covered less total (p < 0.001) and relative distance (p < 0.001). In addition, these referees covered more distance walking and jogging (p < 0.001). Amateur referees also completed fewer sprints (p = 0.006), repeated high-intensity efforts (RHIEs) per game (p < 0.001), and spent longer between RHIEs (p = 0.015). Finally, for the amateur referees, the duration of the longest repeated high-intensity bout (i.e., worst case scenario) was lower (p < 0.001), with less distance covered (p < 0.001) and fewer high-intensity accelerations (p < 0.001). Refereeing rugby sevens is therefore more physically demanding at higher competitive levels, particularly in terms of high-intensity efforts. The results provide vital information for practitioners involved in the physical preparation of rugby sevens referees.

Physical and Physiological Demands of Elite Rugby Union Officials

PURPOSE

To examine the movement and physiological demands of rugby union officiating in elite competition.

METHODS

Movement demands of 9 elite officials across 12 Super Rugby matches were calculated, using global positioning system devices. Total distance (in m), relative distance (in m·min^-1), and percentage time spent in various speed zones were calculated across a match. Heart-rate (HR) responses were also recorded throughout each match. Cohen d effect sizes were reported to examine the within-match variations.

RESULTS

The total distance covered was 8030 (506) m, with a relative distance of 83 (5) m·min^-1 and with no differences observed between halves. Most game time was spent at lower movement speeds (76% [2%]; <2.0 m·s^-1), with large effects for time spent >7.0 m·s^-1 between halves (d = 2.85). Mean HR was 154 (10) beats·min^-1 (83.8 [2.9]%HR_max), with no differences observed between the first and second halves. Most game time was spent between 81%HR_max and 90%HR_max (40.5% [7.5%]) with no observable differences between halves. Distances covered above 5.1 m·s^-1 were highest during the first 10 min of a match, while distance at speeds 3.7 to 5 m·s^-1 decreased during the final 10 min of play.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the highly demanding and intermittent nature of rugby union officiating, with only some minor variations in physical and physiological demands across a match. These results have implications for the physical preparation of professional rugby union referees.

Never blame the umpire - a review of Situation Awareness models and methods for examining the performance of officials in sport

As sport becomes more complex, there is potential for ergonomics concepts to help enhance the performance of sports officials. The concept of Situation Awareness (SA) appears pertinent given the requirement for officials to understand what is going on in order to make decisions. Although numerous models exist, none have been applied to examine officials, and only several recent examples have been applied to sport. This paper examines SA models and methods to identify if any have applicability to officials in sport (OiS). Evaluation of the models and methods identified potential applications of individual, team and systems models of SA. The paper further demonstrates that the Distributed Situation Awareness model is suitable for studying officials in fastball sports. It is concluded that the study of SA represents a key area of multidisciplinary research for both ergonomics and sports science in the context of OiS. Practitioner Summary: Despite obvious synergies, applications of cognitive ergonomics concepts in sport are sparse. This is especially so for Officials in Sport (OiS). This article presents an evaluation of Situation Awareness models and methods, providing practitioners with guidance on which are the most suitable for OiS system design and evaluation.

Impact of several matches in a day on physical performance in Rugby Sevens referees

PURPOSE

To examine the effects of several matches per day on running performance and cardiovascular stress in referees during a national Rugby Sevens championship.

METHODS

Seven referees, who refereed 3 matches/ day, were monitored by GPS during 21 matches.

RESULTS

Referees' movement patterns were relatively stable from the 1st to the 2nd match, although a substantial decrease was observed in the 2nd match for maximal and average sprint distance. A substantial decrease in the number of sprints, maximal speed, walking, distance covered at medium intensity, total and >14 km/h distance covered per minute was observed in the 3rd match in comparison with the 2nd. Compared with the 1st match, in the 3rd game referees showed a substantial decrease in maximal and average sprint distance, total walking at medium intensity, distance covered >14 km/h, and high-intensity running distance. Referees exhibited a substantial decrease in average heart rate (HR), percentage of time at >70%HRmax, and percentage of time at >90%HRmax in the 2nd match compared with the 1st. Referees' HR responses were relatively stable from the 2nd to the 3rd match except for the HR zones of 71-80%HRmax and 81-90%HRmax and performance-efficiency index (Effindex). Substantial differences were observed in the 3rd match compared with the 1st in average HR, 81-90%HRmax, >90%HRmax, and Effindex.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence of reduced overall running performance and pronounced reduction in high-intensity running performance during the last match in Rugby Sevens referees refereeing 3 matches in the same day.

Physical demands of elite Rugby League referees, part two: heart rate responses and implications for training and fitness testing

The purpose of this study was to assess whether any characteristic patterns of heart rate (HR) responses could be identified in National Rugby League (NRL) referees (n= 6) during matches played in the 2001 season. The data have been plotted and discussed, in order that exercise program planning practitioners may gain improved understandings of the physiological requirements for referees. Some specific training suggestions have also been made.

METHODS

The HR was recorded every five seconds throughout six competition NRL matches; using a heart rate monitor with a built-in memory.

RESULTS

The specific magnitudes of referees' HR mean values varied between individuals, possibly due to specific game intensities, referee fitness, and age. All referees however exhibited similar HR response patterns; characterised by frequent (13-20 per match) large transient upward and downward shifts (>20 beats.minute(-1)). Periods of elevated HR extended for between five sec and eight min at a time, and were further characterised as a typical cyclic wave of HR elevation and recovery (ranging from 99.2+/-12.4 beats.minute(-1) to 176.5+/-11.8 beats.minute(-1) [mean +/-95% CI]), with a work to rest ratio of 2:1. Steady state HR was not achieved at any time during any match.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study, taken together with a recent motion analysis, indicate that Rugby League refereeing is a highly intermittent, variable intensity activity. Significant anaerobic contribution to performance appears likely. It is suggested that training and fitness assessment of athletes should reflect their specific demands; some specific recommendations have therefore been provided.

The impact of specific high-intensity training sessions on football referees' fitness levels

BACKGROUND

In comparison to the amount of literature that has examined the match demands of football refereeing, there has been little attempt to assess the impact of high-intensity training.

PURPOSE

The main goals were to get a better understanding of the long-term effect of specific intermittent training.

STUDY DESIGN

The authors examined the cardiovascular strain of specific high-intensity training sessions and also their impact on referees' fitness levels.

METHODS

To examine the physical workload during intensive intermittent training sessions, heart rates were recorded and analyzed relative to the referees' maximum heart rate (HR(max)). To assess the referees' fitness levels, the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test was used.

RESULTS

Both the pitch- and track-training sessions were successful in imposing an appropriate high intensity load on the referees, at 86.4 +/- 2.9% and 88.2 +/- 2.4% HR(max), respectively. Following 16 months of intermittent high-intensity training, referees improved their performance on the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test by 46.5%, to a level that is comparable with professional players.

CONCLUSIONS

As match officials are subjected to a high physical load during matches, they should follow structured weekly training plans that have an emphasis on intensive, intermittent training sessions.