title: Impact of several matches in a day on physical performance in Rugby Sevens referees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of several matches per day on running performance and cardiovascular stress in referees during a national Rugby Sevens championship.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven referees, who refereed 3 matches/ day, were monitored by GPS during 21 matches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Referees' movement patterns were relatively stable from the 1st to the 2nd match, although a substantial decrease was observed in the 2nd match for maximal and average sprint distance. A substantial decrease in the number of sprints, maximal speed, walking, distance covered at medium intensity, total and >14 km/h distance covered per minute was observed in the 3rd match in comparison with the 2nd. Compared with the 1st match, in the 3rd game referees showed a substantial decrease in maximal and average sprint distance, total walking at medium intensity, distance covered >14 km/h, and high-intensity running distance. Referees exhibited a substantial decrease in average heart rate (HR), percentage of time at >70%HRmax, and percentage of time at >90%HRmax in the 2nd match compared with the 1st. Referees' HR responses were relatively stable from the 2nd to the 3rd match except for the HR zones of 71-80%HRmax and 81-90%HRmax and performance-efficiency index (Effindex). Substantial differences were observed in the 3rd match compared with the 1st in average HR, 81-90%HRmax, >90%HRmax, and Effindex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides evidence of reduced overall running performance and pronounced reduction in high-intensity running performance during the last match in Rugby Sevens referees refereeing 3 matches in the same day.
authors: Faculty of Sport Sciences, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain.
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Suarez-Arrones
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Núñez
authors: Diego
authors: D
authors: Munguía-Izquierdo
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Portillo
authors: Alberto
authors: A
authors: Mendez-Villanueva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*