The relationships between physical fitness attributes and match demands in rugby union referees officiating the 2019 Rugby World Cup

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.