engleski

Physiological load of referees during basketball games

The objective of this study was to establish physiological loads elite basketball referees sustain during competitive games. Thirty-one referees (age: 33.35±5.17 years, body mass: 88.04±7.47 kg, height:186.37±5.40 cm), all classified as A-list referees of the 1st Croatian Basketball League, were subjected to progressive spiroergometric testing on the treadmill in order to determine the anaerobic threshold (V-slope method). The referees were monitored electrocardiographically for the establishment of physiological load during competitive games. Their heart rate (HR) was measured during the games using a POLAR RS400 cardiotachometer. The level of physiological load was determined according to individual work intensity zones that had been determined using laboratory testing for each subject separately. The lowest intensity zone of load was below 79% of HR at the ventilatory threshold, the following zone included HRs between 80 and 89% of HR at the ventilatory threshold, then between 90 and 100% of HR at the ventilatory threshold, whereas the highest zone was above the HR at the ventilatory threshold. The time each subject spent in a particular intensity zone was determined and expressed as a percentage of the total game time. The average HR during a game was 131.52±9.10 bpm, that is, 77.34±6.05% of the HR at the anaerobic threshold. It was established that the referees spent 50% of the total game time in zones of high aerobic load (extensive and intensive aerobic zone), whereas if we only examine the time during the quarters, then this percentage amounts up to 60%. The referees spent only 1-2% of the total game time in the anaerobic energetic process load zone. There were no significant differences between younger and older referees in physiological load they sustain during the games. These findings indicate basketball referees must possess a high aerobic capacity to withstand physiological load during a basketball game.

heart rate ; aerobic capacity ; anaerobic threshold

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