Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2020 Nov 6:11:569897.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.569897. eCollection 2020.

Physical and Physiological Match-Play Demands and Player Characteristics in Futsal: A Systematic Review

Konstantinos Spyrou  1 , Tomás T Freitas  1   2   3 , Elena Marín-Cascales  1 , Pedro E Alcaraz  1   3
Affiliations
Review

Physical and Physiological Match-Play Demands and Player Characteristics in Futsal: A Systematic Review

Konstantinos Spyrou et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Futsal, also known as five-a-side indoor soccer, is a team-sport that is becoming increasingly popular. In fact, the number of futsal-related investigations is growing in recent years. This review aimed to summarize the scientific literature addressing the match-play demands from the following four dimensions: time-motion/external load analysis and physiological, neuromuscular, and biochemical responses to competition. Additionally, it aimed to describe the anthropometric, physiological, and neuromuscular characteristics of elite and sub-elite male futsal players, contemplating the differences between competition levels. The literature indicates that elite futsal players cover greater total distance with higher intensities and perform a greater number of sprints during match-play when compared to sub-elite players. The physiological demands during competition are high (average intensity of ≥85% maximal heart rate and ~80% maximum oxygen uptake [VO2max]), with decrements between the two halves. Research suggests that neuromuscular function decreased and hormonal responses increased up to 24 h after the match. Considering anthropometric characteristics, players present low percentage of body fat, which seems commonplace among athletes from different on-court positions and competition levels. Elite players display greater values and at VO2max with respect to sub-elite competitors. Little is known regarding elite and sub-elite futsal players' neuromuscular abilities (strength, jumping, sprinting, and change of direction [COD]). However, it appears that elite players present better sprinting abilities compared to lower-level athletes. Futsal players aiming to compete at the highest level should focus on developing maximal speed, lower-body power and strength, aerobic capacity, and lean muscle mass.

Keywords: five-a-side soccer; game-analysis; performance; physical capacities; team-sports.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Álvarez J., Giménez L., Corona P., Manonelles P. (2002). Cardiovascular and metabolic necessities of indoor football: analysis of the competition. Apunts. Phys. Educ. Sports 67, 45–53.
    1. Bangsbo J. (1994). Energy demands in competitive soccer. J. Sports Sci. 12, 5–12. 10.1080/02640414.1994.12059272 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Barbero-Alvarez J. C., D'Ottavio S., Granda Vera J., Castagna C. (2009). Aerobic fitness in futsal players of different competitive level. J. Strength Cond. Res. 23, 2163–2166. 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181b7f8ad - DOI - PubMed
    1. Barbero-Alvarez J. C., Soto V. M., Barbero-Alvarez V., Granda-Vera J. (2008). Match analysis and heart rate of futsal players during competition. J. Sports Sci. 26, 63–73. 10.1080/02640410701287289 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Barbieri R., Barbieri F., Milioni F., Dos-Santos J., Soares M., Zagatto A., et al. (2017). Reliability and validity of a new specific field test of aerobic capacity with the ball for futsal players. Int. J. Sports Med. 38, 233–240. 10.1055/s-0042-123043 - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources