Effect of a Repeated Sprint Ability test on the muscle contractile properties in elite futsal players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test on the contractile properties of the muscles in elite futsal players. A total of 20 elite players completed the RSA test (7 × 30 m), and the contractile response from the rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) of both legs were analysed pre and post through tensiomyography. There was a significant increment in 30-m times from the third sprint onwards (p < 0.05). The percent decrement in sprint ability (RSADEC) with respect to the first sprint was significantly higher in the last sprint. The players did not show evidence of lateral asymmetry in any of the muscle groups analysed after the RSA test (p > 0.05). Following the RSA test there was a significant reduction in the delay time (Td) in RF, a significant decrement in half-relaxation time (Tr) in the RF, and a significant reduction in sustain time (Ts) in the RF and BF of both legs. The maximum radial displacement of the muscle belly (Dm) increased (1.6 mm; effect size = 0.75; p < 0.05) in the RF after the RSA test, indicating reduced muscle stiffness and the ability to generate strength rapidly. The decrement in performance during the RSA test was significantly correlated with changes in contraction time (Tc) in RF and BF, Td in BF, and Dm in RF (p < 0.05). The RSA test generated alterations in the contractile properties of the RF and BF in elite players. However, futsal players did not present asymmetries in any muscular parameters. The baseline contractile muscle parameters could be an important factor related to performance of players during repeated high-intensity actions.

Neuromuscular Characteristic of Biceps Femoris Muscle in the Top Serbian Soccer Players Measured by Tensiomyography Method: Quantitative Model

“…The results obtained in the conducted research coincide with the majority of the results from the previous studies conducted on a sample of international football players (Alvarez-Diaz et al, 2014;García-García, Serrano-Gómez, & Cuba-Dorado, 2014;García-García, Serrano-Gómez, Hernández-Mendo, & Morales-Sánchez, 2017;Gil et al, 2015) in which the authors have also concluded that there are no statistically significant differences in the measured TMG variables BF of the Dom and NonDom leg. Also, very similar descriptive results of the examined variables were obtained on a sample of futsal (Sánchez-Sánchez et al, 2018), volleyball players (Rodríguez-Ruiz et al, 2012) and cyclists (García-García et al, 2013) in regard to the studied BF muscle.…”

Anaerobic and Agility Parameters of Salonists in Laboratory and Field Tests

“…However, few studies have measured the mechanical power alongside the physiological parameters of these athletes [8,10]. Although some have investigated distinct perspectives on repeated sprint ability [43][44][45], few have conducted RAST and calculated its derived mechanical parameters [8,10,46]. Moreover, despite the relevance of agility for futsal athletes already being described [2,47,48], we provide original data based on RAST 2 × 17.5 parameters and agility performance.…”

Muscular and Physical Response to an Agility and Repeated Sprint Tests According to the Level of Competition in Futsal Players

“…Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA) tests are considered as one of the main instrument to analyze the ability of futsal athletes to deal with repeated high-intense actions (Barbero-Alvarez et al, 2008;Sánchez-Sánchez et al, 2018). This test has proved to be useful to analyze the effect of resting between seasons in futsal players (Njororai, 2007) and to discriminate between playing level as those with lower performance decrease in the RSA test showed a higher number of high intensity actions during a real game situation (Carling et al, 2012).…”