Investigating the Internal and External load Associated with Umpiring Semi-professional Australian Rules Football

Corey Wilson, Mark Scanlan, Colin S. Doherty, Oliver R. Barley

Abstract


Background: This investigation examined internal and external load associated with umpiring semi-professional Australian Rules football, an area of limited research. Objective: This exploratory quantitative study recruited 39 field umpires (Age: 25.2 ± 6.8 y, Body Mass: 74.6 ± 7.9 kg, Height: 178.9 ± 7.4 cm) from the Western Australian Football League (WAFL). Each participant was assessed in one match only. Methodology: External measures (total distance [TD], floating distance [FSD], high-intensity running distance [HSD]) and internal measures (blood lactate [BLa], heart rate [HR], rating of perceived exertion [RPE]) were collected during 22 matches, of the 2023 WAFL season. Data collection was performed before, during, and after the match and significance was set at p = <.05. Results: TD (13,027.6 ± 1332.9 m) had significant reductions between Q1 and Q2 (p = 0.029), and Q4 (p = 0.003). FSD (10,411.7 ± 888.6 m) had no significant differences. HSD (1,717.8 ± 613.6 m) had significant reductions between Q1 and Q2, Q3, Q4 (p < 0.001, p = 0.003, p < 0.001). RPE (14 ± 2) had significant reductions between Q1 and Q2 (p = 0.013), Q3 (p < 0.001), and Q4 (p < 0.001). BLa was lowest in Q4 (3.3 ± 1.6 mmol/L). Conclusion: This study highlights significant physical demands on umpires, suggesting associations between match progression, TD, HSD, RPE, and BLa, potentially influencing training protocols and talent identification.

Keywords


Football, Team Sport, Physiology, Workload

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.13n.1p.80

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