PHYSIOLOGICAL AND NEUROMUSCULAR RESPONSES DURING THE GAME IN FEMALE FUTSAL PLAYERS

RESPOSTAS NEUROMUSCULARES E FISIOLÓGICAS DURANTE O JOGO EM ATLETAS DE FUTSAL FEMININO

ABSTRACT

This study has evaluated the differences in the physiological and neuromuscular responses in female futsal athletes during a friendly game. Sample comprised six female futsal players (21.8 ± 3.9 years; 57.4 ± 4.1 kg; 159.0 ± 2.7 cm height; 19.0 ± 3.3% body fat and 7.8 ± 1.8 years of practice). Heart rate (HR) was monitored during the whole game. Coutermovement Jump (CMJ), Resistance Explosive Power (REP) lower limb and blood lactate have been evaluated before and after the final of the first and second periods. To compare physiological and neuromuscular variables between the different moments we have used standardized mean difference (SMD), confidence interval (CI = 90%) and the probabilities of differences with clinical relevance. Maximal heart rate (HRmax) was 186.6 ± 10.6 and 185.8 ± 8.3, first and second periods, respectively. There has been a substantial lactate increasing in the moment prior to the start of the game to the final of the first (2.1 ± 0.3 to 6.3 ± 2.3 mmol/L^-1, SMD = 5.25 (3.28: 7.21), 100/0/0; most likely) and the second periods (2.1 ± 0.3 to 5.4 ± 1.3 mmol/L^-1, SMD = 4.62 (3.19: 6.04), 100/0/0; most likely). Although there has been an increase in blood lactate, the performance of female futsal players was not suppressed during and immediately after a friendly game, suggesting that the neuromuscular system may be restored immediately after the end of the game.

Keywords:
Monitoring; Sport; Performance

RESUMO

O presente estudo testou se existem diferenças, nas respostas fisiológicas e neuromusculares em atletas de futsal durante um jogo amistoso. A amostra foi composta por seis atletas de futsal do sexo feminino (21,8 ± 3,9 anos; 57,4 ± 4,1 kg; 159,0 ± 2,7 cm de altura; 19,0 ± 3,3% gordura corporal e 7,8 ± 1,8 anos de tempo de prática). A frequência cardíaca (FC) foi monitorada durante toda a partida. O salto com contramovimento, resistência de força explosiva de membros inferiores e lactato sanguíneo foram avaliados antes, após o final do primeiro e segundo tempo de jogo. Para comparação das variáveis neuromusculares e fisiológicas entre os diferentes momentos, nós utilizamos as diferenças de médias estandardizadas (DME), intervalo de confiança (IC = 90%) e probabilidades de haver diferenças com relevância clínica. A FC máxima (FCmáx) foi de 186,6 ± 10,6 e 185,8 ± 8,3, primeiro e segundo tempo, respectivamente. Houve um aumento substancial do lactato do momento que antecedeu o início da partida para o final do primeiro (2,1 ± 0,3 para 6,3 ± 2,3 mmol/L^-1, DME = 5,25 (3,28: 7,21), 100/0/0; most likely) e segundo tempo (2,1 ± 0,3 para 5,4 ± 1,3 mmol/L^-1, DME = 4,62 (3,19: 6,04), 100/0/0; most likely) de partida. Embora tenha ocorrido um aumento do lactato sanguineo, a performance de atletas femininas de futsal não foi suprimida durante e logo após uma partida amistosa, sugerindo que, o sistema neuromuscular possa estar restaurado logo após o término do jogo.

Palavras-chave:
Monitoramento; Esporte; Desempenho

Introduction

Over the last years futsal has become popular and currently has more than 12 million players over than more 100 countries¹. Futsal presents intermittent characteristics and it is considered to be one of the most physiological demanding team sport, causing high stress in the aerobic and anaerobic systems^2-4. Hence, during the games, heart rate (HR) (i.e. 90% of maximal HR) high reactive sprints (118.4 and 110.5 m ^. min^-1, first and second periods, respectively)⁵ and 1:1 effort - rest are a constant of this modality^1,2,5. Additionally, the unlimited player substitutions contribute to a high intensity sport. On the other hand, the game determinant actions, scoring a goal, dribble, displacements and defences are associated to lower limb muscle strength and power⁶.

In this context, the neuromuscular system has been requested during the match. Due to the reduced dimensions, when compared to the other sports (i.e. soccer), it requires players to perform frequent bouts of high-intensity with limited rest periods that do not allow a complete recovery⁷. These high demands of futsal induce match-related fatigue, which may resulting in impaired performance, as evidenced by reductions in total distance pecorred and maximal isometric force of knee extension after first e second game period⁸. In this sense, methods for assess the neuromuscular system may contribute for monitoring of demands match⁹ and adoption of strategies aimed at recovery or maintaining performance⁷.

Regarding the monitoring of neuromuscular fatigue, countermovement jump (CMJ) is a valid and reproducible measure in futsal^7,10,11. Parallel, decreases in vertical jump is related to the accumulation of metabolities (i.e. lactate)⁷. These measures, together, can provide an overview of the effects of futsal match on neuromuscular and metabolic parameters. Additionaly, there is scant information regarding the physical demands imposed on women players during match. Whereas there is difference in performance^12,13 and fatigue¹⁴ between men and women, the monitoring of the demands of match according to sex becomes determinant. Hence, this investigation aimed to assess the effects of futsal match on the physiological and neuromuscular responses of female players.

Methods

Sample

Sample comprised six semi-professional female futsal players (21.8 ± 3.9 years; 57.4 ± 4.1 kg; 159.0 ± 2.7 cm height; 19.0 ± 3.3% body fat and 7.8 ± 1.8 years of practice), playing in the futsal team of University of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. These players practiced five days a week, twice a day (morning and afternoon), totalling four hours a day of training, and played official games at the weekends. The team was champion of Ceará State (category adult and sub-20) and northeast league, boths in the year 2015. All the participants provided written informed consent and the study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Research of University of Fortaleza, with the n. 225/2010.

Figure 1
Study design

Sample characterization

To characterize the sample, body mass, height and body composition have been evaluated. Body mass and height have been respectively measured with a digital electronic scale Slim Line (EKS) and a stadiometer (Sanny) fixed on the wall. Body composition has been assessed through an electric bio impedance apparatus (BIODYNAMICS Model 410). Athletes met the following guidelines: no eating nor drinking in the four hours before testing; no practicing during the 24 hours prior to the assessment; urinate 30 min before the test; no alcohol consumption in the 48 hours before the test and do not have diuretics in the last seven days. The exams were performed by a same professional.

Neuromuscular Parameters

Resistance Explosive Power (REP) lower limb has been assessed by performing three vertical countermovement jumps (CMJ). Athletes have been asked to perform vertical jump reproducing the motor gesture of heading the ball. REP has been estimated through the height of the jumps, consecutively for 30 s. We used the average of vertical jumps height analysis. All the vertical impulse assessments have been performed using a 50x60 cm platform (Plataforma Jumptest® - Hidrofit Ltda, Brasil), connected to software Multisprint® (Hidrofit Ltda, Brasil).

Physiological Parameters

Blood lactate samples have been collected from the index finger (15-50 µl) and assessed through Accutrend BM-Lactate test strips (Accutrend® Plus). HR has been monitored in real time using a Polar H7 sensor on athletes’ body. Data was collected via Bluetooth® and recorded into an Ipad® utilizing the software 1 Hz, Polar Team Sports System, Polar Electro OY, Finland. After, these values were normalized to heart rate maximum (HRm) percentages targeting five heart rate zones: very light (50-60%); light (60-70%); moderate (70-80% ); hard (80-90% ) and maximum (90-100% )⁴.

Statistical analysis

Data have been analysed using mean and standard deviation. Comparisons between moments were assessed by standardized mean difference (SMD) with their Confidence Interval (CI = 90%)¹⁵. Further, magnitude of effect has been evaluated using the scale: 0 to 0.2 trivial, >0.2 to 0.6 small, >0.6 to 1.2 moderate, >1.2 to 2 large and >2.0 very large¹⁶. The odd of finding differences between moments has been qualitatively assessed through the scale: < 1%, almost certainly not; 1-5%, very unlikely; 5-25%, unlikely; 25-75%, possible; 75-95%, likely; 95-99%, very likely; > 99%, almost certain. When the results of both categories (better and poorer) were > 5%, the true (unknown) effect was classified as unclear¹⁷.

Results

Figure 2 presents the time spent in the different intensities during the futsal match. Mean HR during the first and the second periods was respectively, 173.8 ± 9.7 and 169.0 ± 9.3 beats per minute (bpm). HRm was 186.6 ± 10.6 in the first period and 185.8 ± 8.3 in the second. Our findings have shown no substantial differences in the mean HR [SMD = -0.63 (-1.53: 0.26), 6/14/80; Unclear] and HRmax [SMD = -0.22 (-1.01: 0.58), 18/30/51; Unclear] between the two game periods.

Figure 2
Percentage of time spent in HR intensity zones

Figure 3 presents the results of comparisons among pre-game, final of first and second periods regarding CMJ, REP and blood lactate. The CMJ was 41.9 ± 2.9, 40.7 ± 3.3 and 41.6 ± 3.5 cm. No substantial differences have been found between the rest and post first period (SMD = -0.32 (-1.28: 0.63), 17/54/29; Unclear) and between rest and pos second period (SMD = -0.07 (-1.06: 0.92), 31/28/41; Unclear).

REP was 31.1 ± 3.1, 30.4 ± 4.0 and 31.9 ± 4.8 cm in the rest, after the first and second period, respectively. No substantial differences have been found between the different moments: REP [SMD = -0.20 (-1.24; 0.83), 25/25/50; Unclear and SMD = 0.14 (-1.02: 1.30), 46/24/30; Unclear, respectively]. Blood lactate concentration has shown a substantial increasing [SMD = 5.25 (3.28: 7.21), 100/0/0; most likely] from the pre-game to post first period (2.1 ± 0.3 to 6.3 ± 2.3 mmol/L^-1, respectively) and kept significantly high [SMD = 4.62 (3.19: 6.04), 100/0/0; most likely] in the post second game period (2.1 ± 0.3 to 5.4 ± 1.3 mmol/L^-1, respectively).

Figure 3
Neuromuscular and physiological responses during and after the end of the futsal game

Discussion

This research aimed to evaluate if the physiological and neuromuscular responses of female futsal players differed in the pre-game moment to the final of the first and second periods. Our main findings have shown that futsal female athletes stay ~80% of the whole game at a HR > 80% of the HRmax, without noteworthy drops from the first to the second period. Moreover, we have not found relevant differences in the neuromuscular parameters during the game, although we have reported a considerable increasing in the blood lactate concentrations from the pre-game moment to the post first and second periods.

We observed that HR during the game has presented mean values of 174 bpm and 163 bpm max and minimum during a female futsal match. Barbero-Alvarez, Subiela¹³ have monitored elite female futsal athletes’ HR and reported a 197 and 199 bpm HRm, in lab tests (e.g. progressive treadmill) and on the field (e.g. FIET test), respectively. Findings of the current investigation associated to Barbero-Alvarez, Subiela¹³ characterize the high cardiovascular demand requested during both a female and a male futsal game^4,5, as the athletes throughout all the game play at a constant intensity close to their HRmax. This high request, as discussed in previous researches carried out with male athletes, is possibly due to the unlimited quantity of substitutions during the game, which triggers a greater dynamics and the maintenance of both intensity and high relative speed^4,5,8.

As regards the time spent in different zones of intensity, our findings reveal that female players play a mean of 80% of the game at an intensity above 75% of their HRmax, which emphasizes even more the role played by the anaerobic metabolism^4,13. Castagna, D'ottavio⁴ have reported that professional male futsal athletes spend a mean of 52% of the game at an intensity above their 90% HRmax. These differences might be due to the fact that male athletes have a greater VO2max when compared to same level female athletes¹³. This discrepancy of the above ability is directly associated to the capacity of recovery between high intensity stimuli, that is, to a same amount of work, male athletes suffer less cardiovascular stress, when compared to female athletes^2,13. In this sense, Castagna, D'ottavio⁴ have found an inverse relationship between VO2max and time spent in intensities above 90% of HRmax (r = -0.79, p = 0.01), suggesting that athletes holding a better aerobic capacity are more economic when performing actions during the game (i.e. playing at a smaller intensity). However, these conclusions need further data on female futsal athletes.

Concerning the monitoring of neuromuscular fatigue, several studies have been using vertical impulse to assess status fitness/fatigue of athletes’ neuromuscular system from different modalities^10,11. These investigators have been reporting that CMJ is suitable to detect variations in neuromuscular performance according to futsal athletes’ training load^10,11. Therefore, our findings have not shown substantial differences on vertical impulse and on REP between the moments assessed, thus suggesting that a futsal match has not generated neuromuscular fatigue in futsal female players. Notwithstanding, recently, Milioni, Vieira⁸ have reported that a futsal game played by elite male athletes showed a decreasing of relative speed and neuromuscular performance (i.e. isometric strength of knee extensors). On the other hand, the acute changes due to the match have not affected speed and kicking efficacy.

Simultaneously monitoring neuromuscular parameters, we assessed the kinetc of lactate during the match. Blood lactate concentrations have shown substantial differences when comparing the pre-game moment and the end of the first and the second periods. Indeed, futsal game comprises high intensity actions (3-4 sprints) with short rest intervals (20-30 s of moderate to low intensity actions) in crucial moments of the match ¹⁸. In this modality, the skill to perform repeated sprints with low interval between them is a determinant ability to be successful in futsal⁴. Accordingly, this high intensity actions with short recovery intervals may cause a lowering in performance due to the accumulation of some metabolites (i.e. ions H+, inorganic phosphate, lactate dehydrogenase), increasing of acidosis and the consequent decreasing of contractile function of skeleton muscle at the cross-bridge level¹⁹. Despite these signs, to conclude on fatigue and on the role played by the anaerobic metabolism from blood lactate, mainly in intermittent sports, should be done with caution, as these are not linear behavioural modalities in the lactate curve and furthermore, other molecules play an important role in the muscle contractile process^4,20. The accumulation of ions H+, inorganic phosphate and adenosine diphosphate contribute to diminish sensitivity of Ca²⁺, to a lower renew of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and consequently to the reduction of strength levels¹⁹.

Although comparisons among different modalities are limited due to different rules, i.e. pitch dimension and duration, some comparisons with other intermittent sports are useful to understand the characteristics and responses in different contexts⁵. The findings of the current study are similar to those found in other intermittent modalities, as football²¹ (5.5 ± 1.7 mmol/L^-1), and rugby²², during the first and the second periods (8.4 and 5.4 mmol/L^-1, respectively), as well as in male futsal it self⁸ (5.6 and 5.5 mmol/L^-1). On the other hand, when comparing a research conducted on beach volleyball²³, we can verify that lactate values are smaller, not overcoming 4.3 mmol/L. Probably, such difference is due to the distance covered by futsal players and their mean speed^4,5,8, which are greater than a beach volleyball players, as well as the number of time-outs/rest in beach volleyball is much bigger than in futsal, which can contribute to a restoring of balance between the production-removing / use of plasma lactate.

Lastly, our study have some limitations. For example, we do not take into account the position of players. On the other hand, there are data that support the hypothesis that there are no differences between the positions of players in the distance traveled and time spent at different intensities throughout a futsal match⁵. Another possible limitation would be the absence of other biochemical markers that provide an overview of the internal load in response to the one or more futsal matches. Ultimately, further studies should investigate the indicators throughout a female futsal competition, where the athletes play longer game sequences, as well as the assessment of other parameters, e.g. speed and kicking efficacy.

Conclusion

This investigation has found that the physiological and neuromuscular responses during a futsal game have presented substantial differences only in the blood lactate concentrations, where a considerable increasing could be found in the comparison between the pre-game and the end of the first and second periods. Neuromuscular parameters remained relatively stable, with no substantial increasing or decreasing on the performance of variables monitored. Our findings are important for providing information about neuromuscular and metabolic status of female players during and after a futsal match and directing decision making by coaches concerning substituitions and, consequently, adjust strategies tactical-techniques during the match.

Acknowledgments

To all the players participating in this research and to the students of Research Group in Physical Education, Health Promotion and Sport of University of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil

References

• ¹
  Beato M, Coratella G, Schena F. Brief review of the state of art in futsal. J Sports Med Phys Fit 2016;56(4):428-432.
• ²
  Arins FB, Salvador PCN, Carminatti LJ, Guglielmo LGA. Physiological characteristics, evaluation and prescription of aerobic training in futsal. Braz J Kinanthrop Hum Perform 2015;17(6):753. Doi: 10.5007/1980-0037.2015v17n6p753
  » https://doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2015v17n6p753
• ³
  Castagna C, Belardinelli R, Impellizzeri FM, Grant AA, Coutts AJ, D'Ottavio S. Cardiovascular responses during recreational 5-a-side indoor-soccer. J Sci Med Sport 2007;10(2):89-95. Doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2006.05.010
  » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2006.05.010
• ⁴
  Castagna C, D'ottavio S, Vera JG, Álvarez JCB. Match demands of professional futsal: A case study. J Sci Med Sport 2009;12(4):490-494. Doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2008.02.001
  » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2008.02.001
• ⁵
  Barbero-Alvarez JC, Soto VM, Barbero-Alvarez B, Gandra-Vera J. Match analysis and heart rate of futsal players during competition. J Sports Sci 2008;26(1):63-73. Doi: 10.1080/02640410701287289
  » https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410701287289
• ⁶
  Dal Pupo J, Detanico D, Arins FB, Nascimento Salvador PC, Guglielmo LGA, Santos SG. Capacidade de sprints repetidos e níveis de potência muscular em jogadores de futsal das categorias sub-15 e sub-17. Rev Bras Cienc Esporte 2017;39(1):73-78. Doi: 10.1016/j.rbce.2016.01.010
  » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbce.2016.01.010
• ⁷
  Tessitore A, Meeusen R, Pagano R, Benvenuti C, Tiberi M, Capranica L. Effectiveness of active versus passive recovery strategies after futsal games. J Strength Cond R 2008;22(5):1402-1412. Doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31817396ac
  » https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31817396ac
• ⁸
  Milioni F, Vieira LHP, Barbieri RA, Zagatto AM, Nordsborg MB, Barbieri FA, et al. Futsal match-related fatigue affects running performance and neuromuscular parameters but not finishing kick speedor accuracy. Front Physiol 2016;7. Doi: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00518
  » https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2016.00518
• ⁹
  Beato M, Coratella G, Schena F, Hulton AT. Evaluation of the external and internal workload in female futsal players. Biol Sport 2017;34(3):227-231. Doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2017.65998
  » https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2017.65998
• ¹⁰
  Claudino JG, Cronin J, Mezencio B, McMaster DT, McGuigan M, Tricoli V, et al. The countermovement jump to monitor neuromuscular status: A meta-analysis. J Sci Med Sport 2016;20(4):397-402. Doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2016.08.011
  » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2016.08.011
• ¹¹
  Claudino JG, Cronin JB, Mezencio B, Pinho JP, Pereira C, Mochizuki L, et al. Autoregulating jump performance to induce functional overreaching. J Strength Cond R 2016;30(8):2242-9. Doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001325
  » https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001325
• ¹²
  Thibault V, Guillaume M, Berthelot G, El Helou N, Schaal K, Quinquis L, et al. Women and men in sport performance: The gender gap has not evolved since 1983. J Sports Sci Med 2010;9(2):214-223.
• ¹³
  Barbero-Alvarez JC, Subiela JV, Gandra-Vera J, Castagna C, Gómez M, Del Coso J. Aerobic fitness and performance in elite female futsal players. Biol Sport 2015;32(4):339-344. Doi: 10.5604/20831862.1189200
  » https://doi.org/10.5604/20831862.1189200
• ¹⁴
  Avin KG, Naughton MR, Ford BW, Moore HE, Monitto-Webber MN, Stark AM, et al. Sex differences in fatigue resistance are muscle group dependent. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010;42(10):1943-1950. Doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181d8f8fa
  » https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181d8f8fa
• ¹⁵
  Cohen J. Statistical Power Analisys for the Behavioral Sciences. New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates; 1988.
• ¹⁶
  Hopkins W. Linear models and effect magnitudes for research, clinical and practical applications. Sportscience 2010;14:49-58.
• ¹⁷
  Hopkins WG, Marshall SW, Batterham AM, Hanin J. Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009;41(1):3-12. Doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31818cb278
  » https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e31818cb278
• ¹⁸
  Álvarez JCB, D'ottavio S, Vera JG, Castagna C. Aerobic fitness in futsal players of different competitive level. J Strength Cond Res 2009;23(7):2163-2166. Doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181b7f8ad
  » https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181b7f8ad
• ¹⁹
  Debold EP. Recent insights into the molecular basis of muscular fatigue. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2012;44(8):1440-1452. Doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e31824cfd26
  » https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e31824cfd26
• ²⁰
  Krustrup P, Mohr M, Steensberg A, Bencke J, Kjaer M, Bangsbo J. Muscle and blood metabolites during a soccer game: implications for sprint performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2006;38(6):1165-1174. Doi: 10.1249/01.mss.0000222845.89262.cd
  » https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000222845.89262.cd
• ²¹
  Coutts, Rampinini E, Marcora SM, Castagna C, Impellizzeri FM. Heart rate and blood lactate correlates of perceived exertion during small-sided soccer games. J Sci Med Sport 2009;12(1):79-84. Doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2007.08.005
  » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2007.08.005
• ²²
  Coutts, Reaburn P, Abt G. Heart rate, blood lactate concentration and estimated energy expenditure in a semi-professional rugby league team during a match: a case study. J Sports Sci 2003;21(2):97-103. Doi: 10.1080/0264041031000070831
  » https://doi.org/10.1080/0264041031000070831
• ²³
  Medeiros AIA, Loureiro A, Oliveira J, Mesquita I. Variation of performance indicators during the Beach Volleyball's game. Rev Port Cien Desporto 2012;12(1):73-86.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  02 Aug 2021
• Date of issue
  2019

History

• Received
  29 June 2018
• Reviewed
  10 Sept 2018
• Accepted
  10 Oct 2018