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ORIGINAL ARTICLE EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS
The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2021 June;61(6):788-96
DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.20.11447-6
Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA
language: English
Rugby union referees’ physical and physiological demands across different competitive levels
Ricardo T. SANT’ANNA 1 ✉, Simon P. ROBERTS 1, Lee J. MOORE 1, Alex REID 2, Keith A. STOKES 1
1 Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, UK; 2 Rugby Football Union, Twickenham, UK
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
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.
KEY WORDS: Football; Exercise training; Heart rate; Physical fitness; Physical exertion