Journal article
Physical and decision-making demands of Australian football umpires during competitive matches
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Vol.28(12), pp.3502-3507
2014
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Source: InCites
Abstract
<p>This study examined the physical and decision-making requirements of elite Australian football (AF) umpires during match play. Twenty-nine field umpires were assessed across 20 AF League matches. Physical demands were monitored using global positioning system devices to record the total distance covered and high-speed running (HSR; >14.4 km·h<sup>−1</sup>) demands across each quarter. Decision-making performance was assessed through video by 3 elite umpire coaches who reviewed free-kick accuracy during each match. These data were further analyzed according to the position (mid-zone or end-zone) of the umpire when each decision was made. The average distance covered was 10,563 ± 608 m, of which 1,952 ± 494 m was HSR. Significant reductions in distance covered were observed during the third (<em>p</em> = 0.006) and fourth (<em>p</em> = 0.001) quarters, compared with the first. An average of 44 ± 8 free kicks awarded per match with a decision accuracy of 84 ± 6%; however, there were no significant differences (<em>p</em> > 0.05) in these measures across a match. Significantly (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.05) higher physical (HSR; relative distance) and decision-making requirements were observed within the mid-zone. The current data quantify the physical and decision-making demands of AF umpiring and demonstrated that despite a high physical workload, free-kick accuracy is maintained across a match. This suggests that decision making may not be directly compromised by the intermittent running demands of AF umpires. Positional rotations between the mid-zone and end-zone position allow for the demands to be shared among all field umpires during a match.</p>
Details
- Title
- Physical and decision-making demands of Australian football umpires during competitive matches
- Creators
- Nathan Elsworthy - University of NewcastleDarren Burke - University of NewcastleBrendan Scott - University of NewcastleChristopher J Stevens - University of New CastleBen J Dascombe - University of Newcastle
- Publication Details
- Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Vol.28(12), pp.3502-3507
- Identifiers
- 3165; 991012820414602368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health; School of Health and Human Sciences; Human Sciences
- Resource Type
- Journal article