Aerobic fitness in futsal players of different competitive level.
Recently the use of small-sided games (mainly 5 vs. 5) proved to be a valid training method to improve aerobic fitness in soccer. Thus, it could be hypothesized that professional futsal (soccer 5-a-side indoor version) players may possess a well-developed aerobic fitness as a consequence of training and game participation. The aim of this study was to examine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), ventilatory threshold (VT), and running economy (RE, VO2 at 8 kmxh) of futsal players of different competitive levels to determine whether aerobic fitness is a discriminative variable for futsal success. Subjects were 24 male futsal players from a professional top-ranked second division team (PT, n = 11) and a semi-professional top-ranked third division team (ST, n = 13). Aerobic fitness was assessed with a running protocol performed on a motor-driven treadmill. Professional team and ST players' VO2max were 62.9 +/- 5.3 and 55.2 +/- 5.7 mLxkgxmin, respectively (p < 0.05). RE was 34.1 +/- 2.7 and 32.4 +/- 2.7 mLxkgxmin for PT and ST, respectively (p >0.05). PT and ST attained VT at 70.5 +/- 2.7 and 71.3 +/- 5.2% of VO2max, respectively (p > 0.05). Results showed that VO2max may be considered a competitive-level dependent physical variable in futsal. VO2max values of or above 60 mLxkgxmin are advisable to play futsal at the professional level.
Faculty of Education and Humanities of Melilla, Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Grenada, Melilla, Spain.
Josè Carlos Barbero
JC
Alvarez
Stefano
S
D'Ottavio
Juan Granda
JG
Vera
Carlo
C
Castagna
D015308:Anaerobic Threshold; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult