Identification of the exercise volume and intensity of basketball referees, across competitive match types based on competition sex and level, would assist in developing appropriate training regimes. Purpose: The aims of this study were to quantify and compare the exercise volume and intensity encountered by semiprofessional basketball referees during different match types across a competitive season. Method: Sixteen referees participated and were monitored for absolute and relative PlayerLoad (PL) using microsensors during 25 semiprofessional matches (12 men`s, 13 women`s, 17 regular season, eight playoff). Comparisons between match types (men`s vs. women`s; regular season vs. playoff) were examined via independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, and repeated measures ANOVA with the magnitude of differences calculated via effect size. Results: Referees experienced an absolute PL of ~365 arbitrary units (AU) per match that was similar for men`s, women`s, regular season, and playoff matches during a competitive season. Relative PL was significantly greater (5.35 ± 0.82 vs. 4.26 ± 0.59 AU.min-1, p < .001, effect size = 1.57) during women`s matches with a greater proportion of each quarter and match spent within PL band 2 compared to men`s matches (11.6 ± 2.2 vs. 8.8 ± 1.4%, p < .001, effect size = 1.53), likely due to a reduced number of referees officiating. Minimal differences existed between the regular season and playoff matches for absolute PL, relative PL, and proportion of quarter/match time within PL bands. Conclusion: The current study confirmed that referees experienced considerable exercise volume and intensity per match during a competitive season with these influenced primarily by referee configuration. The current results provide crucial information to develop effective training regimes for referees during a competitive season.
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