Declan Gamble

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Referee analysis using GPS tracking and heart
rate monitoring
Declan Gamble Sport Physiologist Sports Institute
NI / University of Ulster
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• 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

• What training are referees currently doing?

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• What type of fitness programmes do referees
  require?
• What type of movements does a referee perform?
• How much distance does a referee cover in a game?
• How many times does a referee sprint in a game?

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Ulster Minor Football Final 2004 Croke Park
Derry vs Tyrone Referee Pauric Hughes (Ard
Mhacha)
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Background to the study

• UK Sport technical team
• Athlete tracking system
• Based around GPS technology

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Declan Gamble Sport Scientist Sports Institute NI
/ University of Ulster
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Declan Gamble Sport Scientist Sports Institute NI
/ University of Ulster
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Background to the study

• UK Sport technical team
• Athlete tracking system
• Based around GPS technology
• Ulster Council approval
• Referee kindly agreed

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Set-up and limitations

• Referee had to wear unit
• 11cm x 5cm x 3cm
• Clear sky
• Battery life of 2 hrs
• Not waterproof

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Performance data

• Speed
• Distance
• Heart rate
• Position
• Altitude

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Analysis of referee movement patterns
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Different movements
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Make decisions
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V cut high intensity running
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GPS and heart rate results
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GPSports Analysis
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• Summary of results
• The referee..
• Exercised at an average heart rate of 164 bpm,
• Covered a total distance of 8.2 km, and
• Performed 80 sprints, lasting from 1-10 sec.

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• What type of training/fitness programme?
• Training programmes need to..
• Reflect the physical demands of refereeing,
• and
• Be specific to the movements patterns performed
  during games.

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• How?
• Refereeing games represents the best training
  stimulus for referees!
• Alternatively, include
• Fartlek running,
• Intermittent shuttle running, or
• Interval sets.

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• Conclusion
• Refereeing imposes significant physical demands
  on referees.
• These physical demands are probably not being met
  by traditional training practices.
• Training programmes need to be designed to
  simulate the physical demands of games.

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Questions?