Match demands, players´ Characteristics and neuromuscular performance across the season in elite futsal players.

Abstract

Futsal, also known as five-a-side indoor soccer, is a team-sport that is becoming increasingly popular in the last year. In fact, the number of futsal-related investigations is growing in recent years. The current thesis aimed to describe and explore the match demands, players¿ characteristics, and the neuromuscular performance across the season in futsal. The results of the present compendium of articles allowed concluding that futsal players are exposed to high physiological, neuromuscular, and biochemical stress during, immediately after, and post 24 h following the game, with significant differences on match demands between halves, but not considering contextual factors. Furthermore, official futsal matches presented higher intensity when compared to non-official matches. Regarding players¿ characteristics, professional futsal players cover greater distance, perform more high-intensity actions, and present lower standing time when compared to semi-professional players; moreover, the former present low percentages of body fat, high physiological and neuromuscular (i.e., sprinting, strength, and change of direction) capacities, and superior performance in the eccentric metrics of the countermovement jump (CMJ). Virtually all strength and conditioning coaches report monitoring training load, most of them through the use of subjective tools, utilize the neuromuscular and strength measurements to evaluate performance and monitor fatigue, and practice strength training and recovery strategies for the physical preparation in futsal. Elite futsal players presented significant positive changes in CMJ jump landing phases following the pre-season, however, concentric peak power in CMJ decreased significantly during the competitive season, and lastly, neuromuscular performance (i.e., sprint, horizontal jump, and CMJ kinetic variables), body composition, and relative number of non-contact injuries were significantly negative affected by detraining period derived from COVID-19 lockdown.