Selected vs. Non-Selected Under-20 National Futsal Players: Differences between Physical Performance and Training Intensity Experienced in Training Camps

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In sports training, the physical profiles and performances between selected and non-selected players are not identical. The players’ specific characteristics, such as exercise performance, locomotion profiles, and physical exertions during training sessions, can be used to identify the successful achievement in sports. However, such information has not been revealed in futsal. This study followed a prospective cohort design between 2018 and 2019. In our study, under-20 male Taiwan national futsal players were assessed for their physical fitness in two separate time periods. The perceived responses of physical exertion, exercise heart rate responses, and locomotion profiles were recorded during each training camp. Quantitative data during eighteen training camps/competition periods were collected for comparison. Our findings demonstrated that the selected players had a superior performance in 15 m Sprint and 30 m Sprint, exercise HR responses, and locomotor demands compared to the non-selected players. Coaches and their staff could consider the information of the present study for identifying selected players. ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was two-fold: (i) analyze the variations in the physical fitness of selected and non-selected under-20 male national futsal players; and (ii) analyze the variations in training intensity monitored during training camps. Thirty-three Taiwan under-20 national futsal players were monitored for training intensity during 18 training camps. They were divided into two groups: selected (n = 14) and non-selected (n = 17) players. The physical assessments included the following measures: body mass, distance covered at Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test Level 1, final velocity at 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT), standing long jump, maximum heart rate (HR), and 1-min sit-up. The training intensity was monitored using the rate of perceived exertion (RPE), HR at different intensity zones, and locomotor demands measured at different speed thresholds. The results revealed that the selected players were significantly faster in the 15-m sprint with ball (p = 0.001) and 30-m sprint (p = 0.001). Additionally, the selected players presented significantly greater HR(average) and time spent above 90% maximum HR during the three-to-six-day training camps (p < 0.05) compared to the non-selected players. Interestingly, the NS demonstrated a greater number of sprints during the training camps (p = 0.001), while the selected players presented greater distance/minute and average speed (p = 0.001). A regression analysis showed that the distance/minute and average speed was a significant predictor of maximum HR in the selected players. As conclusions, the physical fitness outcomes are different between the selected and non-selected national futsal players. The selected players spent more time in high intensity HR demands in training sessions.