The relationships between physical fitness attributes and match demands in rugby union referees officiating the 2019 Rugby World Cup
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Other Title
Authors
Blair, Matthew
Scanlan, A.T.
Lastella, M.
Ramsey, Condi
Elsworthy, N.
Scanlan, A.T.
Lastella, M.
Ramsey, Condi
Elsworthy, N.
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Grantor
Date
2022-01-22
Supervisors
Type
Journal Article
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
2019 World Rugby Cup
referees
physical fitness
testing
GPS
elite sports
sports
rugby union
referees
physical fitness
testing
GPS
elite sports
sports
rugby union
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Blair, M.R., Scanlan, A.T, Lastella,M., Ramsey, C. & Elsworthy, N. (2022) The relationships between physical fitness attributes and match demands in rugby union referees officiating the 2019 Rugby World Cup, International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 22:1, 183-194, DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2022.2031527
Abstract
NOTE: The Research Bank document is a pre-print/author's manuscript. This means this paper is an early draft before it is submitted to a journal for a formal peer review. The final published version can be found at DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2022.2031527
This study examined the relationships between physical fitness attributes and match demands in lead rugby union referees. Eleven referees underwent anthropometric and fitness assessments (40-m sprint, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test, 1.2-km shuttle run) prior to the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Match activities were assessed via global positioning system devices (total distance, high-speed running distance [>5 m·s-1], average speed, and peak intensities over 1-min, 5-min, and 10-min epochs) and heart rate variables were measured using chest-worn monitors (HRmean, summated-heart-rate-zones, time above 90% HRmax). 40-m sprint time was significantly related to maximum speed (P=0.004; r= -0.79) and high-speed running distance (P=0.037, r= -0.63) during matches. Likewise, ∑7 skinfold thickness was significantly correlated with high-speed running distance (P=0.01, r= -0.72). Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test, 1.2-km shuttle run test, age, and body mass index exhibited non-significant correlations (P>0.05, r= -0.58 to 0.53) with match demand variables. Results suggest it may be pertinent for referees to optimise sprint capacity and body fat composition to execute greater high-speed running volumes and reach higher peak speeds during matches. Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test and 1.2-km shuttle run tests are not correlated to specific match activity variables, and thus may not be relevant for monitoring of rugby union referees.
Publisher
Routledge
Permanent link
Link to ePress publication
DOI
10.1080/24748668.2022.2031527
DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2022.2031527
DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2022.2031527
Copyright holder
Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group