External Load Variability in Elite Futsal: Positional Demands and Microcycle Structuring for Player Well-Being and Performance

Gadea-Uribarri, Héctor and Mainer-Pardos, Elena and Bores Arce, Ainhoa and Albalad-Aiguabella, Rafael and López-García, Sergio and Lago-Fuentes, Carlos UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, ainhoa.bores@uneatlantico.es, UNSPECIFIED, UNSPECIFIED, carlos.lago@uneatlantico.es (2025) External Load Variability in Elite Futsal: Positional Demands and Microcycle Structuring for Player Well-Being and Performance. Sports, 13 (1). p. 7. ISSN 2075-4663

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the external load of each session along competitive microcycles on an elite futsal team, considering the positions and relationships of the players. The external load of 10 elite players from a First Division team in the Spanish Futsal League (age 27.5 ± 7 years, height 1.73 ± 0.05 m, weight 70.1 ± 3.8 kg) were recorded across 30 microcycles. The players’ external loads were monitored using OLIVER devices. To analyse the external load, Levene’s test was conducted to assess the homogeneity of variances, followed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to identify differences in dependent variables across the different microcycle days and player positions. Regarding external load during the microcycle, the day with the lowest external load was MD-1, and the days with the highest external load were MD-3 and MD-4. In addition, considering playing positions, pivots exhibited the lowest loads throughout the microcycle, whereas wingers and defenders exhibited the highest loads, depending on the variables analysed. By providing reference values from elite contexts, this study offers practical insights for S&C coaches to optimize microcycles. Furthermore, it contributes to workload management strategies within sport science and public health frameworks, promoting sustainable performance and athlete wellness in futsal.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	load monitoring; periodisation; team sport; player position
Subjects:	Subjects > Physical Education and Sport
Divisions:	Europe University of Atlantic > Research > Scientific Production
Depositing User:	Sr Bibliotecario
Date Deposited:	08 Jan 2025 10:32
Last Modified:	08 Jan 2025 10:32
URI:	http://repositorio.funiber.org/id/eprint/16011

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