Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological demands on the referees and their movement patterns during rugby games. With this knowledge, training programmes for referees can be more scientifically prepared to meet the physiological demands of the game. Initially seven Japanese regional referees performed a treadmill running test to determine the maximal oxygen uptake (V^^.O_2 max), heart rate (HR) versus V^^.O_2 max regression line to estimate oxygen uptake (V^^.O_2) during rugby games. Referees were investigated for HR via PE3000 heart rate monitor and were filmed with a video tape recorder to estimate the distance covered on the field according to the type of activity performed during rugby games. The results were as follows; 1) The mean V^^.O_2 max of referees was 3.19 l/min (45.3 ml/kg/min). 2) The mean HR of referees during rugby games was 157.4 beats/min, which corresponded to 82.9% of the maximal HR and 77.2% of V^^.O_2 max. As referees performed approximately 50% of actual playing time at an intensity above 8O% of V^^.O_2 max. 3) The mean HR of referees during the second halves were significantly greater than those during the first halves. As for the same referees, the mean HR when refereeing at the semifinal or final game was significantly greater than that when refereeing at the first round. 4) The mean total distance covered in a 60 minute game for a referee was 4315.4 metres.There was no significant difference in distance covered by the referee comparing the first and second halves of a game. 5) Jogging shared the highest percentage of 43.0% of the total distance covered, followed by walking (28.3%) and running (12.5%). There was a considerable amount of backwards movement required by referees (9.9%). A relatively small percentage of distance covered in a game was by sprinting (2.1%) and sidestep (4.2%). From these results, it was suggested that the aerobic work predominated in refereeing and backwards movement was an important action for referees.
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