Referee analysis using GPS tracking and heart rate

Referee analysis using GPS tracking and heart rate monitoring Declan Gamble Sport Physiologist Sports Institute NI / University of Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

1. Why is fitness important for referees? • Intensity of the game is increasing • Keep up with play • Delay the onset of fatigue • Maintain concentration • Enhance performance 2. What training are referees currently doing? Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

3. What type of fitness programmes do referees require? a) What type of movements does a referee perform? a) How much distance does a referee cover in a game? a) How many times does a referee sprint in a game? Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Ulster Minor Football Final 2004 Croke Park: Derry vs Tyrone Referee: Pauric Hughes (Ard Mhacha) Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Background to the study n UK Sport technical team n Athlete tracking system n Based around GPS technology Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Declan Gamble Sport Scientist Sports Institute NI / University of Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Declan Gamble Sport Scientist Sports Institute NI / University of Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Background to the study n UK Sport technical team n Athlete tracking system n Based around GPS technology n Ulster Council approval n Referee kindly agreed Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Set-up and limitations n Referee had to wear unit n 11 cm x 5 cm x 3 cm n Clear sky n Battery n Not life of 2 hrs waterproof Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Performance data n Speed n Distance n Heart rate n Position n Altitude Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Analysis of referee movement patterns Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Different movements Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Make decisions Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

V –cut high intensity running Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

GPS and heart rate results Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

GPSports Analysis Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Summary of results The referee…. . a) Exercised at an average heart rate of ~ 164 bpm, b) Covered a total distance of ~ 8. 2 km, and c) Performed ~ 80 sprints, lasting from 1 -10 sec. Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

What type of training/fitness programme? Training programmes need to…. . 1. Reflect the physical demands of refereeing, and 2. Be specific to the movements patterns performed during games. Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

How? 1) Refereeing games represents the best training stimulus for referees! Alternatively, include; 2) ‘Fartlek’ running, 3) Intermittent shuttle running, or 4) Interval sets. Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Conclusion 1. Refereeing imposes significant physical demands on referees. 1. These physical demands are probably not being met by ‘traditional training’ practices. 2. Training programmes need to be designed to simulate the physical demands of games. Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004

Questions? Ulster Council Coaching and Games Development Symposium 2004