Abstract
The study aimed to verify possible associations between game-play running
performance and outcomes derived from fitness (running) tests in female futsal
players. Sixteen women professional elite futsal players from a 1st
division league team (19.2±2 years-old, 4.3±2.1 years of
experience) participated. Firstly, a graded incremental treadmill test was
adopted to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Following
72 h of laboratory protocol, players were asked to perform a
repeated-sprint test on a court (8×40 m with two 180°
change-of-directions). Twenty-four hours after, players participated in a
one-off friendly game (two 20-min half-times). A computerized automatic image
recognition software (DVIDEOW; 30 Hz) allowed to determine game running
performance variables. Fatigue index and best time in the court test and
VO2max and its attached speed derived from laboratory-based test
showed significant moderate-to-moderately high correlations
(r=− 0.59–0.76; p<0.05) with some game
running performance outputs, notably related to high-intensity running. In
conclusion, the present study provided initial evidence on associations between
two fitness tests and one-off game running performance in female futsal.
Information derived from the work potentially help conditioning professionals
working with female futsal athletes gain awareness about some properties of
common testing tools.
Key words
fitness assessment - physical capacity - high-intensity running - automatic tracking - team sports