Effects of a Futsal Game on Metabolic, Hormonal, and Muscle Damage Indicators of Male Futsal Players

Abstract

Bekris, E, Gioldasis, A, Gissis, I, Katis, A, Mitrousis, I, and Mylonis, E. Effects of a futsal game on metabolic, hormonal and muscle damage indicators of male futsal players. J Strength Cond Res 36(2): 545-550, 2022-The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a futsal game on several metabolic, hormonal, and muscle damage indicators. Twenty-one male top-level futsal players participated in the study. Players were divided into 2 groups according to playing time: the long playing time (LPT) group and the short playing time (SPT) group. Game intensity parameters such as percentage of the HRmax and blood lactate concentration, as well as metabolic, hormonal, and muscle damage indicators were examined before and after a futsal game. The results showed that during the game, the intensity was up to 93% of HRmax and lactate concentrations ranged from 5.8 to 21.8 mmol•L 21 . The LPT group showed an increased lactate dehydrogenase level compared with the SPT group (p , 0.05). Similarly, creatine kinase was significantly increased in the LPT group (p , 0.05) after the game. By contrast, nonsignificant differences were observed between groups for alanine transaminase (ALT-SGPT), aspartate transaminase (AST-SGOT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase enzymes (p . 0.05). The testosterone/cortisol ratio (T/C) reduced for both groups after the game (p , 0.05). The results of this study indicated that a futsal game have a significantly effect on several hormonal, metabolic, and muscle damage indicators for players who participate for a longer playing time in the game. Therefore, the evaluation of these volumes could assist coaches to organize specific, effective, and individualized training programs.

Physical and Physiological Match-Play Demands and Player Characteristics in Futsal: A Systematic Review

“…Interestingly, and following the same pattern observed in the other variables (i.e., HR and VO 2max ), this value was higher than official games, in which [La] mean (analyzed by an electrochemical lactimeter YSI 1500) of 4.8 ± 2.3 mmol·L −1 (1st half) and 4.2 ± 2.2 mmol·L −1 (2nd half) were found (Milioni et al, 2016 ). Conversely, Bekris et al ( 2020 ), using a portable blood analyzer, displayed higher values of [La] mean (1st half: 14.9 ± 4.9 and 2nd half: 15.0 ± 4.7) as the assessment was performed throughout the match, when the player was taken out.…”

“…To better understand the actual futsal match-play demands, and following a more holistic approach to the study of the stress imposed by competition, some researchers have investigated different biochemical markers post-game. Particularly, three studies (Moreira et al, 2011 ; de Moura et al, 2013 ; Bekris et al, 2020 ) have focused on this topic. A biomarker associated with responses to exercise is the salivary immunoglobulin A (SlgA), and when decreased, its concentration may be a good marker of excessive training (Petersen and Pedersen, 2005 ).…”

“…Hence, according to the authors' recommendations, actions should be held to minimize contact with virus or reduce training load under such conditions. Bekris et al ( 2020 ) examined the biochemical and metabolic responses as well as the muscle damage induced by futsal competition and identified increased creatine kinase (CK) levels and a reduced testosterone/cortisol ratio after the game from blood samples collected from the forearm vein.…”

“…Due to the frequent intermittent high-intensity actions that occur in most team-sports, researchers have long been interested in understanding the physiological stress imposed during the match by analyzing variables such as heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (VO 2 ), or blood lactate concentration ([La]) (Spencer et al, 2005;Impellizzeri et al, 2006;Ostojic et al, 2006). Particularly in futsal, eight studies (Barbero-Alvarez et al, 2008;Castagna et al, 2009;Rodrigues et al, 2011;Makaje et al, 2012;Charlot et al, 2016;Milioni et al, 2016;Bekris et al, 2020;Yiannaki et al, 2020) have investigated the physiological responses during a match ( Table 1). Barbero-Alvarez et al (2008) monitored the HR (Polar Vantage NV) of 10 players during four competitive futsal matches.…”

“…Of note, the number of futsal-related investigations is growing in recent years. Several studies have described competition demands (Dogramaci and Watsford, 2006 ; Barbero-Alvarez et al, 2008 ; Castagna et al, 2009 ; Dogramaci et al, 2011 ; Makaje et al, 2012 ; Bueno et al, 2014 ; Caetano et al, 2015 ; Milioni et al, 2016 ; Milanez et al, 2020 ; Ohmuro et al, 2020 ; Ribeiro et al, 2020 ; Yiannaki et al, 2020 ) by reporting the physiological (Barbero-Alvarez et al, 2008 ; Castagna et al, 2009 ; Rodrigues et al, 2011 ; Makaje et al, 2012 ; Charlot et al, 2016 ; Milioni et al, 2016 ; Bekris et al, 2020 ; Yiannaki et al, 2020 ), neuromuscular (Caetano et al, 2015 ; Milioni et al, 2016 ; Milanez et al, 2020 ; Ribeiro et al, 2020 ), or biochemical responses (Moreira et al, 2011 ; de Moura et al, 2013 ; Bekris et al, 2020 ) following a competitive match. In addition, different authors have shown particular interest in describing the characteristics of futsal players such as anthropometrics (Baroni and Leal Junior, 2010 ; Gomes et al, 2011 ; Jovanovic et al, 2011 ; Garrido-Chamorro et al, 2012 ; de Moura et al, 2013 ; Pedro et al, 2013 ; Ramos-Campo et al, 2014 ; Galy et al, 2015 ; Nikolaidis et al, 2019 ; López-Fernández et al, 2020 ) and physiological (Barbero-Alvarez et al, 2009 ; Gorostiaga et al, 2009 ; Baroni and Leal Junior, 2010 ; Castagna and Barbero-Alvarez, 2010 ; Milanez et al, 2011 ; Makaje et al, 2012 ; Boullosa et al, 2013 ; Oliveira et al, 2013 ; Pedro et al, 2013 ; Cuadrado-Peñafiel et al, 2014 ; Miloski et al, 2014 ; Soares-Caldeira et al, 2014 ; De Freitas et al, 2015 , 2019 ; Galy et al, …”