title: Time and motion analysis of the AFL field umpire. Australian Football League.
abstract: The purpose of the present study was to quantify the movement patterns and work intensities of field umpires while officiating in the three-umpire system of the Australian Football League (AFL). Five umpires were randomly selected and videoed throughout five AFL-matches played at the Brisbane Cricket Ground. Each video was analysed manually for time spent in each of four movement modalities: forward, backward, sideways and stationary which were further analysed into the categories of forward sprinting, forward cruising/jogging and forward walking; backward fast/moderate and backward slow; sideways movement and stationary. The following calculations were made: a) the total time spent performing each movement modality; b) the relative contribution (%) of time spent in each activity; and c) the work to rest ratio. The relative time contribution of each movement modality was: Sprinting (1.9+/-0.2%), Cruising/Jogging (26.1+/-3.2%), Walking (21.9+/-3.1%). Fast/Moderate Backward (14.6+/-1.2%), Slow Backward (13.6+/-1.0%), Sideways (2.2+/-0.3%) and Stationary (19.7+/-2.7%). The average time of effort for each movement modality were found to be: Sprinting (2.2+/-0.4 secs), Cruising/Jogging (6.09+/-1.3 secs), Walking (9.9+/-1.1 secs), Backward Fast/Moderate (4.4+/-0.3 secs), Backward Slow (5.2+/-0.8 secs), Sideways (1.7+/-0.1 secs) and Stationary (7.4+/-1.4 secs). The average work to rest ratio was approximately between 1:4-1:5. The current findings provide a detailed description of the movement patterns and work intensities of AFL field umpires which may be used in the development of training programs specific to the three-umpire system.
authors: Central Queensland University, School of Health and Human Performance.
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Coutts
authors: P R
authors: PR
authors: Reaburn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D012916:Soccer; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D014741:Video Recording; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology