Seasonal changes in physical performance and heart rate variability in high level futsal players

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Oliveira, R.S.;Leicht, A.S.;Bishop, D.;Barbero-Alvarez, J.C.;Nakamura, F.Y.
Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in physical performance and resting heart rate variability (HRV) in professional futsal players during the pre-season and in-season training periods. 11 athletes took part in the study (age=24.3±2.9 years; height=176.3±5.2 cm; weight=76.1±6.3 kg), and performed a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test [6 x 40 m (20+20 m with a 180 degrees change of direction) sprints separated by 20s of passive recovery] and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) at 3 different moments (M1=beginning of pre-season; M2=end of pre-season; M3=mid in-season). The HRV indices were assessed at the same moments. After the short pre-season (3-week), mean RSA time (RSA(mean)) (M1=7.43±0.2s; M2=7.24±0.2s; P=0.003), decrement in RSA performance (RSA(decrement)) (M1=6.7±0.3%; M2=5.0±0.9%; P=0.001), and Yo-Yo IR1 distance (M1=1.244±298m; M2=1.491±396m; P=0.002) were significantly improved (P<0.05). During the in-season (i.e., M3), performance in Yo-Yo IR1 and RSA(mean) were maintained. In contrast, RSA(best) (M2=6.89±0.2 to M3=6.69±0.3; P=0.001) was improved and RSA(decrement) (M2=5.0±0.9% to M3=6.6±0.9%; P=0.001) was impaired. At M2, there was an increase in HRV vagal-related indices compared with M1 that was maintained at M3. In conclusion, after a short pre-season, futsal players improved their RSA and Yo-Yo IR1 performance with concomitant improvements in HRV. These indices were maintained during the in-season period while RSA(best) was improved and RSA(decrement) impaired. Frequent monitoring of these performances and HRV indices may assist with identification of individual training adaptations and/or early signs of maladaption.

Journal

International Journal of Sports Medicine

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Volume

34

ISBN/ISSN

1439-3964

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Issue

5

Pages Count

7

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Publisher

Georg Thieme Verlag

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DOI

10.1055/s-0032-1323720