TY - JOUR AU - Le Roux, Conrad AU - Green , Andrew AU - Lombard, Adrian PY - 2021/02/10 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - The physical attributes of sub-elite rugby union referees of inland provinces in South Africa JF - South African Journal of Sports Medicine JA - SA J Sports Med VL - 33 IS - 1 SE - Articles DO - 10.17159/2078-516X/2021/v33i1a8835 UR - https://journals.assaf.org.za/index.php/sajsm/article/view/8835 SP - 1-6 AB - <div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p><strong>Background</strong>: The purpose of the on-field referee is to implement the laws of the game. For the referee to do this successfully, he is required to keep up with the pace of play. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the physical attributes of sub-elite rugby union referees of inland provinces in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods</strong>: A total of 82 referees (age: 26.5 ± 6.4 years; stature: 177.3 ± 6.8 cm; body mass: 79.1 ± 14.7 kg) were assessed with a reliable testing battery.</p><p><strong>Results</strong>: The participants showed a refined aerobic capacity (VO2max: 61.8 ± 11.0 mL·min-1·kg-1) and good agility (Illinois Agility Test: 17.2 ± 3.8 s). A two-way unbalanced ANOVA was performed for all referees’ attributes between qualification levels (levels 1-4) and union affiliations (three unions) at a significance level of p&lt;0.05. The results yielded significant differences across the three unions in age (p=0.002), Yo-Yo distance (p=0.0001), aerobic capacity (p=0.0001), plank time (p=0.0001) and agility (p=0.027). Similarly, differences were reported across the four qualifications in aerobic capacity (p=0.0001) and agility (p=0.037).</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong>: These differences may be due to the diverse training programmes offered by the various unions. Additionally, an increased level of physical fitness may occur when progressing up the qualification levels.</p></div></div></div></div> ER -