Time and motion analysis of the AFL field umpire

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.