The aims of the present study were to describe the training load (TL) distribution of a professional futsal team and verify its subsequent effects on physical performance, muscle damage, and hormonal status. Twelve male professional futsal players (24.3 ± 4.7 years old; 75.5 ± 7.7 kg; and 173.4 ± 4.5 cm) participated in this study. A training program of 22 weeks (6 weeks of pre-season and 16 weeks of in-season) was analyzed. The session rating of perceived exertion method was used to monitor TLs. Physical tests (PTs; countermovement jump (CMJ), 5- and 20-m sprint, T-test, and multistage 20-m shuttle-run tests) were performed 4 times throughout the season (PT1-PT4). Blood sample (BS) collection (Creatine kinase [CK], testosterone, and cortisol) was performed in 7 occasions (BS1-BS7). TLs were higher in pre-season compared to in-season (p < 0.001). Countermovement jumps (CMJs) and 5- and 20-m performances were better in PT3 (CMJ: 0/23/77, 5-m: 0/3/97, and 20-m: 0/1/99) and PT4 (CMJ: 0/8/92, 5- and 20-m: 0/0/100) than in PT1; T-test performance and V[Combining Dot Above]O2max was better in all moments compared with those of PT1 (0/0/100). Higher CK concentration (p = 0.03) and testosterone to cortisol (T:C) ratio values (p = 0.02) were detected in BS2 vs. BS1. An increase in C (p = 0.007) and a decrease in T:C ratio (p = 0.003) was observed from BS4 to BS5. The training program demonstrated higher TLs during the periods with low incidence of matches, emphasis on endurance and strength training during pre-season, speed and power training throughout in-season. This TL organization provides sufficient stimulus for appropriate physical fitness development in professional futsal players, without causing negative disturbances.

Timoteo, TF, Debien, PB, Miloski, B, Werneck, FZ, Gabbett, T, and Filho, MGb. Influence of workload and recovery on injuries in elite male volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res 35(3): 791–796, 2021—The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of workload and recovery on injury rates in elite male volleyball players. Data were collected from 14 male professional volleyball players over a 27-week season. Workloads were monitored daily using the session rating of perceived exertion, and recovery status was appraised using the Total Quality Recovery (TQR) scale. The players were exposed to 4,573.31 hours (h) of training and games with an overall injury incidence of 13.99 per 1,000 hours. Overuse accounted for 83% (11.58 injuries/1,000 hours) and trauma accounted for 17% (2.40 injuries per 1,000 hours) of all injuries. There was a higher incidence of injuries (p = 0.003), higher weekly workload (p = 0.008), and acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) (p < 0.001) in the pre-season compared with the competitive period. Healthy players had lower ACWR (p = 0.002) compared with the injured players. The TQR was higher for the healthy group compared with the injured group (p < 0.001). The greater odds of injury was related to higher ACWR (risk factor) (p = 0.014) and lower TQR values (p = 0.004) (protection factor). Athlete's workloads and the state of recovery may be related to injuries in volleyball. The results presented in this study emphasize the importance of controlling these variables in professional volleyball teams to prevent injuries.

This study aimed to examine and compare mood states profile and physical performance during different training phases between 2 groups of adolescent basketball players that were differentiated according to baseline testosterone concentration (T). The basketball players were submitted to an intensified training period (OVL) followed by a tapering period (TP). Twenty-three young male basketball players initiated the study. Experimental criteria data were used to stratify 16 players into high-testosterone (HTC) or low-testosterone (LTC) concentration groups. All the 16 athletes undertook 5 weeks of OVL followed by a 3-week TP. Saliva sampling, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 (Yo-Yo IRL1) test and the T-test were conducted at the beginning (T1), after OVL (T2), and after TP (T3). A similar increase in internal training load was observed during OVL when compared with TP in both groups (p < 0.05). No difference in mood states was observed between groups (p > 0.05); however, LTC displayed a higher score for fatigue (p < 0.05) and a lower score for energy index (p < 0.05) in OVL, compared with TP. A significant improvement in the Yo-Yo IRL1 test and the T-test was observed (T1 to T3) (p < 0.05), with no difference between groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that LTC athletes may be more susceptible to changes in mood states during intensified training periods. In addition, data indicate that a periodized training program successfully improved the physical performance (endurance and agility) of young basketball players; however, this improvement was not affected by testosterone level.