Within-season Adaptations in Physical, Physiological and Technical-tactical Performance of Experimented Futsal Players

Abstract

This study analysed the seasonal variations in futsal players’ physical, physiological, and technical–tactical performance. Eight senior futsal players from the same team were monitored at three time points in the season (beginning of the preseason, middle of the first half of the season, and middle of the second half of the season). A progressive and intermittent shuttle-running test (the futsal intermittent endurance test) was applied to collect the following variables: maximum velocity, distance covered, total distance covered, test duration, initial heart rate, peak heart rate, peak blood lactate concentration, and rating of perceived exertion. In addition, different match-performance variables were assessed during a simulated futsal match (goals scored, shots on goal, successful passes, balls lost, balls recovered, and goals conceded). Results indicated that the physiological variables of initial heart rate (p<.001, η2=.862) and peak blood lactate concentration (p=.001, η2=.640) significantly varied over the course of the season. However, no significant differences were found in the physical and technical–tactical variables. This study has implications for sport practitioners; specifically, it emphasizes that preseason and in-season training load periodization enhances the physiological fitness of top-level futsal players, although their physical and technical–tactical performance remained relatively stable.