RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL LOAD IN BASKETBALL REFEREES

The aim of the present paper consists in analysing the relations between internal (objective and subjective) and external load parameters. The sample was composed of a total of 15 matches played in the women's U16 Eurobasket championship, in which a total of nine referees (6 men and 3 women) participated. The internal load variables analysed were heart rate and the subjective rating of perceived exertion. The external load variables were divided into kinematic and neuromuscular variables, measured using inertial devices. The results show that there are associations between the values of objective internal load and external load, as well as between the variables of external load. In contrast, there is no relation between internal subjective load and the variables of objective internal and external load, except regarding Metabolic Power. These results indicate that the competition and the level of the referees greatly influence the subjective variables.