Physiology Responses and Players’ Stay on the Court During a Futsal Match: A Case Study With Professional Players

Physiological responses in futsal have not been studied together with temporal information about the players’ stay on the court. The aim of this study was to compare heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentration ([La(−)]) responses between 1-H and 2-H considering the time of permanency of the players on the court at each substitution in a futsal match. HR was recorded during entire match and [La(−)] was analyzed after each substitution of seven players. %HR(mean) (89.61 ± 2.31 vs. 88.03 ± 4.98 %HR(max)) and [La(−)] mean (8.46 ± 3.01 vs. 8.17 ± 2.91 mmol·L(−1)) did not differ between 1-H and 2-H (ES, trivial-small). Time in intensity zones of 50–100 %HR(max) differed only in 60–70 %HR(max) (ES, moderate). HR coefficient of variation throughout the match was low (7%) and among the four outfield players on the court (quartets, 5%). Substitutions (2 player’s participation in each half), time of permanence on the court (7.15 ± 2.39 vs. 9.49 ± 3.80 min), ratio between time in- and out-ratio on the court (In:Outcourt = 1:1.30 ± 1:0.48 vs. 1:1.05 ± 1:0.55 min) also were similar between 1-H and 2-H (ES, moderate and small, respectively). Balancing the number of substitutions, and the In:Outcourt ratio of players in both halves of the match, playing lower time at 1-H, ~8 min for each participation in the match, made it possible to maintain intensity of the match in 2-H similar to the 1H. These results are a good guidance to coaches and for application in future studies.