Pearce, Leesa, Woods, Carl, Sinclair, Wade, and Leicht, Anthony (2017) Officiating role influences the physical match activity profiles of rugby league touch judges and referees. Journal of Human Kinetics, 58 (1). pp. 225-231.

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Abstract

This study investigated the effect of the officiating role on physical activity profiles of rugby league match officials during match-play. Physical performance indicators were collated from 23 match officials, resulting in 78 observations. Match officials were categorised into two groups: referees and touch judges. Microtechnology facilitated the quantification of total distance (m), relative distance (m·min-1), maximum velocity (m·s-1), the percentage of high intensity running distance (% total >3.01 m·s-1), walking distance (<1 m·s-1), jogging distance (1.01 – 3 m·s-1), fast jogging distance (3.01 -5 m·s-1), and sprinting distance (>5 m·s-1). Multivariate analysis modelled the main effect of the officiating role with follow up univariate analyses identifying significant differences. A significant effect was noted (V = 750; F(8, 66) = 24.71; p < 0.05) with referees covering a greater total distance (7767 ±585 vs. 7022 ±759 m), relative distance (90 ±6 vs. 82 ±8 m·min-1), jogging distance (3772 ±752 vs. 3110 ±553 m), and fast jogging distance (2565 ±631 vs. 1816 ±440 m) compared to touch judges. Touch judges covered greater distances while sprinting (1012 ±385 vs. 654 ±241 m). Results provide important guidance in the development of training programs for match officials.

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