Looking for the best way to determine aerobic performance in futsal: a pilot study

Abstract

Problem Statement. The specific characteristics of Futsal require the athlete to have the ability to meet the aerobic requirements either in trainings or during the competitions. To achieve this, it is essential to individualize the training loads for each player. But it is complicated due to training is accomplished with groups of players with different characteristics, and Futsal is an acyclic sport. Approach. Heart rate variability (HRV) is currently being used as an indicator of the athlete's recovery after training, as well as their predisposition to face high-intensity stimuli, optimizing adaptations to training and allowing the individual assessment. It has been used in individual resistance sports, and recently in other team sports such as soccer or rugby. According to the previous research, HRV score should be related to the performance profile of athletes but there is no consensus regarding the best measuring parameter. Purpose. The objective of this study was to analyze its relationship with the performance of futsal players through the YoYo IR1 test, as well as to determine which HRV measure is capable of predicting the performance of soccer players with greater precision. The design was observational and cross-sectional with a single sample group made up of 15 participants from a cadet futsal team from El Ejido. Resting HRV was measured using the HRV4Training mobile app, and aerobic endurance through distance traveled in the YoYo IR1 test. Results. A significant (p≤0.05) direct correlation was found between the time domain parameters LnrMSSD, SDNN and pNN50 with the YoYo IR1 test, with a coefficient of determination (r²) of 0.60, 0.42 and 0.57. respectively. Conclusions. The HRV is a valid measure to determine the aerobic performance of cadet futsal players, with the LnrMSSD being the most accurate measure.