Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Master of Medical and Health Science by Research
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
First Supervisor
Dr Oliver Barley
Second Supervisor
Mr Mark Scanlan
Abstract
Australian rules football (AF) umpiring has been a generally underexplored research area, specifically at semi-professional, state-level. Most AF research investigates players or umpires at the highest level of competition. Both umpire physiological load and accuracy of free-kicks adjudicated (intervention accuracy) have not been researched at state-level. This thesis aimed to i) examine internal and external load associated with umpiring state-level AF, and ii) examine intervention accuracy and perception of fatigue associated with umpiring state-level AF. This project recruited 39 field umpires (Age: 25.2 ± 6.8 y, Body Mass: 74.6 ± 7.9 kg, Height: 178.9 ± 7.4 cm) employed by the Western Australian Football Commission (WAFC). We investigated external (total distance [TD], floating distance [FSD], high intensity running distance [HSD] and internal measures (blood lactate [BLa], heart rate [HR], rating of perceived exertion [RPE]) throughout the duration of AF matches. Additionally, we quantified intervention accuracy which was analysed post-event by the lead investigator using video footage, with two umpire coaches being used for reliability. Perception of fatigue was assessed pre- and post-match using a questionnaire. Data was collected in Western Australian Football League matches in the 2023 season. The TD covered was 13,027.6 ± 1332.9 m. Significant reductions in TD between Q1 and Q2 (p = 0.029), and Q1 and Q4 (p = 0.003) were observed. FSD was 10,411.7 ± 888.6 m, with no significant differences between quarters. HSD was 1,717.8 ± 613.6 m. HSD was highest in Q1, with Q1 being 498.4 ± 178.6 m, which was significantly greater than Q2, Q3, and Q4 (p = <0.001, p = 0.003, and p = <0.001, respectively). RPE was 14 ± 2, and significant reductions between Q1 and Q2 (p = 0.013), Q3 (p = <0.001), and Q4 (p = <0.001) were observed. BLa was lowest in Q4 (3.3 ± 1.6 mmol/L), whilst highest in Q1 (4.8 ± 2.1 mmol/L). BLa decreased as match time progressed, whilst HR did not significantly change throughout (163 ± 14 bpm). Regarding intervention accuracy, 384 free-kicks were recorded, with 343 correct and 41 incorrect decisions. Each umpire awarded 10 ± 4 free-kicks, with a distribution of correct-to-incorrect being 9 ± 3 to 1 ± 1 free-kicks per match. Intervention accuracy was 89.3 ± 10.4% correct. Significant declines in intervention accuracy between Q1 (90.6 ± 14.4%) and Q3 (88.4 ± 20.4%) (p = 0.023), Q2 (92.3 ± 12.7%) and Q3 (p = 0.011), and Q2 and Q4 (86.5 ± 21.1%) (p = 0.044) were observed. Perception of fatigue was unchanged. We observed umpires to run on average about 13km, and sprint over 1.5km per match, while physiological markers were indicative of significant physiological strain. Umpires are generally accurate when adjudicating free kicks but said accuracy declines across quarters. Possible reasons for reductions in TD and HSD, as well as intervention accuracy, could be increased physiological strain accumulated throughout a match. This thesis provides important insight on physiological load experienced during matches, free-kick accuracy, and perception of fatigue in state-level AF umpires and may help regulatory bodies designing strategies to improve umpiring outcomes.
DOI
10.25958/p0an-xz20
Access Note
Access to this thesis is embargoed until 5 June 2029
Recommended Citation
Wilson, C. (2024). The physiological requirements and intervention accuracy of umpiring state-level Australian rules football. Edith Cowan University. https://doi.org/10.25958/p0an-xz20