Testing of new fitness test for IHF referees
(Based on an article that appeared in http://www.ihf.info)
(Additional comments by Ruben Gomez)
( Photos: Jiri Benes)


(Descarga en formato pdf)


Directed by Prof. Hans Holdhaus, member of the IHF Medical Commission, a new fitness test for referees was carried out. These 7 tests in total aim at the following.

Check the overall fitness of referees focusing on referee-specific movements and strains.
- Elaborating precise individual support and recommendations on training for each referee for the purpose of optimising the physical preparation for international tournaments.

The IHF indeed aims at composing precise training documentations for IHF referees via Internet but in particular optimising the referee training by means of precise exercise training tailored to the individual referee. A testing period shall help obtain a general idea of the referees’ physical skills. Afterwards, firm performance criteria regarding the physical requirements will be defined.
The tests carried out in Qatar had quite a long time been effected with top referees in other sports, e.g. in football, or with other handball teams. Some few changes have been included in order to imitate referee-specific movements during the test.

The first impression of these new tests has already stressed the need for future effective referees fitness training. Referees are to improve their running endurance and the specific running technique. Future individually designed training programmes should contribute to improving the physical conditions of referees.

In close co-operation with the Medical Commission, the Rules and Referees Commission as well as the Coaching and Methods Commission the IHF is on a right track to adapt the referee training to the game that has gradually been speeding up in recent years.

Test 1
20m sprint (acceleration)

                 

 

Test 2 - Jump test
-step the carpet
- jump vertically
- use your arms to impel you

 

Test 3: Shuttle sprint (3x10m with changing directions)
- 10 meters sprint (step the carpet y turn 180Ί)
- 10 meters sprint (step the carpet y turn 180Ί)
- 10 meters sprint  
- Finish

                       

Test 4: Balance test
- Balance on one foot (maximum possible time).
- Both hands in the waist
- The test it is over when you separate one hand of the waist, or when support the other foot

      

Test 5: coordination sprint with observation task
-  run until the cone “1” and then pass behind cones located in “2”, “3”, “4” and “5.”
-  while you run, you should rotate the head to look at an observer located in the point A
-   After cone “5”, a roll should be made on a mattress
-   run until the cone “3” and to make a circular move around this cone (360º degrees)
-   run and pass behind of the cone “1”
-   run until the starting point.

             

Test 6: Shuttle run (20m shuttle running with defined increasing pace in four stages)

-  Start in the goal line

- To run until central line (20 meters). Step the line / Turn 180º,

- To run again until step the gol line / To turn 180º,

- To run until the center line / turn 180º, etc.
(repeat this sequence during 3 minutes)

- A signal sound give the right speed at the test.

- There's 4 stages of 3 min. each (2 min. for rest among stages):

first stage speed: 7,5 km/h (9 seconds among lines),
second stage speed: 9 km/h (7,9 seconds among lines)
third stage speed: 10,5 km/h (7 seconds among lines) and
fourth stage speed: 12 km/h (6 seconds among lines)

- There's a h eart rate monitors for each person taking part in the test

- After each stage: A blood sample is taken from the earlobe and the heart rate is
registered.
 

    
 

 

Test 7: Reaction test after the shuttle run
- There are 4 buttons with different shapes
- press the correct button to repeat the shape that appears aleatorily in the screen (serie with 20 shapes)
- This test is carried out before the shuttle run test and immediately after it