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Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 12 (2009) 490–494

Original paper

Match demands of professional Futsal: A case study

Carlo Castagna a,∗ , Stefano D’Ottavio a ,
Juan Granda Vera b , Josè Carlos Barbero Álvarez b
a Corso di Laurea in Scienze Motorie, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Italy
b Departamento de Educación Fı́sica y Deportiva

Universidad de Granada, Spain

Received 22 June 2007; received in revised form 2 February 2008; accepted 8 February 2008

Abstract
Despite its popularity and competitive status there have been only few scientific studies that have examined Futsal in professional players.
Consequently the aim of this study was to examine the physiological responses and activity pattern to Futsal simulated game-play in professional
players. Eight full-time professional outfield Futsal players volunteered for this study: age 22.4 (95% CI 18.8–25.3) years, body mass 75.4
(60–91) kg, height 1.77 (1.59–1.95) m and VO2max 64.8 (53.8–75.8) ml kg−1 min−1 . Physiological measurements were assessed during highly
competitive training games (4 × 10-min quarters) and consisted of game VO2 , game blood-lactate concentration ([la]b ) and game heart rates
(HRs). Game activities were assessed using a computerised video-analysis system. During simulated game-play players attained 75% (59–92)
and 90% (84–96) of VO2max and HRmax , respectively. Mean game VO2 was 48.6 (40.1–57.1) ml kg−1 min−1 . Peak game VO2 and HRs were 99%
(88–109) and 98% [90–106] of laboratory maximal values, respectively. Players spent 46 and 52% of the playing time at exercise intensities
higher than 80 and 90% of VO2max and HRmax , respectively. Mean [la]b was 5.3 (1.1–10.4) mmol l−1 . Players covered 121 (105–137) m min−1
and 5% (1–11) and 12% (3.8–19.5) of playing time spent performing sprinting and high-intensity running, respectively. On average players
performed a sprint every ∼79 s during play. These results show that Futsal played at professional level is a high-intensity exercise heavily
taxing the aerobic and anaerobic pathways.
© 2008 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Soccer; Training; Physiology; Oxygen consumption; Lactic acid; Exercise

1. Introduction ing competitive matches Futsal players cover at high intensity

Futsal is the indoor version of soccer that is officially
sanctioned by soccer’s international governing body (Feder-
ation de Football Association, FIFA). The game is growing in
popularity all over the world and since 1989 the world cham-
pionships have been contested by 16 national teams every 4
years.
Futsal is played 5-a-side and during the competitions
unlimited substitutions are permitted. Consequently game
physical demands may result very high.1 Analysis of move-
ment demands has shown that Futsal is an intermittent
high-intensity exercise mode locomotor activities changing
every 3.28-s.2 Dragomaci and Watsford2 estimated that dur-
∗ Corresponding author.
E-mail address: castagnac@libero.it (C. Castagna).
26% of total game distance or time.
Recently Castagna et al.3 showed that recreational 5-a-
side soccer elicited in young players (age 16.8 ± 1.5 years)
a heart rate (HR) of 84 ± 5.4% of HRmax and an oxygen
consumption (VO2 ) of 75 ± 11.2% of VO2peak . Higher aver-
age physiological responses (91 and 85% of HRmax and
VO2max , respectively) were reported by Hoff et al.4 in adult
professional soccer players playing training 5-a-side drills
(2 × 4 min with 3 min active rest) over a 50 m × 40 m football
pitch.
Potential reasons for the elevated intensity reported by
these authors include that players were strongly encouraged
to keep exercise intensity high by coaches and ball was
replaced as fast as possible to avoid intensity decrements.4
In contrast, Castagna et al.3 reported that the mean intensity
of young non-elite soccer players during a 12-min 5-a-side

1440-2440/$ – see front matter © 2008 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2008.02.001
 C. Castagna et al. / Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 12 (2009) 490–494
training drill (30 m × 15 m court) was 52 ± 11% of VO2peak .
Probably skill level and motivation may be the cause of the
reported difference in play intensity.5
Despite its popularity and competitive status there have
only been a few scientific studies that have examined
Futsal.6,7 Furthermore the papers that are available in the
international literature have only addressed game analysis or
the physiological demands of small-sided versions of soc-
cer played at recreational level1,3 and with no standard rules.
Consequently the actual physiological demands imposed to
professional Futsal players during the game are unknown.
Given that the aim of this study was to examine the VO2 ,
HR and blood-lactate concentration ([la]b ) and game activi-
ties in professional Futsal players playing on standard-sized
courts and official rules. It was hypothesised that Futsal match
play under standard rules may induce different physiological
responses from those previously reported.3
2. Methods
Eight fulltime well-trained (nine training sessions per
week plus competition) professional Futsal players: age 22.4
(95% CI 18.8–25.3) years, body mass 75.4 (59.9–91) kg,
height 177 (159–195) cm, from the Spanish second division
volunteered to participate in this study. The local Institu-
tional Review Board approved this study design and informed
written consent was obtained from all players.
The present study was completed during the regular
competitive season and the team involved were successful
(finished in third position). All the players were familiar with
the testing procedures used in this investigation.
The demands of Futsal were established by analysing
simulated games and physiological testing. Players were
observed during highly competitive games (4 × 10 min with
5-min recovery) in a friendly setting to assess physiological
variables without restriction. This activity pattern was used
as preliminary studies (unpublished pilot data) showed that
players were involved for an average of 10 min (total-time)
during official championship games before being substituted.
Game VO2 demands were assessed in each players using a
portable gas analyser (K4b,2 COSMED, Rome, Italy) accord-
ing to Castagna et al.3 procedure.
Blood sampling was taken in a random order during the
4 × 10 min bouts for each player according to the methods
described by Krustrup et al.8
Heart rate monitoring was performed throughout the
4 × 10 min games in all players. Prior to the commencement
of this investigation a systematic analysis of championship
game demands was performed. This involved collecting HR
from the players involved in this investigation during four
official championship games over the month preceding this
study.
Analysis of game activities was performed using a video
computerised system.1 Data was analysed according to the
following match activity categories:
491
1. sprinting (speed >18.3 km h−1 );
2. high-intensity running (speed >15.5 km h−1 );
3. medium-intensity running (12.1–15.4 km h−1 );
4. low-intensity running (6.1–12 km h−1 );
5. walking (0.5–6 km h−1 );
6. standing (0–0.4 km h−1 ).
Sprinting cut-off speed was chosen as average treadmill
speed at VO2max was 18.3 (15.5–21) km h−1 . High-intensity
running speed was considered as average speed between
speed at VT and VO2max (12.9 (10.2–15.5) and 18.3
(15.6–21) km h−1 , respectively).
Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max ) was determined using
an incremental running test on a motorised treadmill (Run-
Race, Technogym, Gambettola, Italy). After an individually
adjusted warm-up (5-min) players ran for 6-min at 8 km h−1 ,
then the velocity was increased by 1 km h−1 every minute
until exhaustion (within 8–12 min). Achievement of VO2max
was considered as the attainment of at least two of the
following criteria: (1) a plateau in VO2 despite increas-
ing speeds, (2) a respiratory exchange ratio above 1.10,
(3) a HR ±10 beats min−1 of age-predicted maximal HR
(220-age) and (4) a blood-lactate concentration higher than
7 mmol l−1 3 min after the end of the test. Expired gases were
analysed using K4b.9,10
Before each test flow and volume were calibrated using
a 3-L capacity syringe (Sensormedics, Yorba Linda, CA).
Gas analysers were calibrated using gases of (O2 and car-
bon dioxide) of known concentrations (Sensormedics, Yorba
Linda, CA). Ventilatory threshold (VT) was assessed accord-
ing to Beaver et al.11 Running economy (RE) was considered
as average VO2 during the final minute of the 6-min run at
8 km h−1 . Maximal aerobic speed was calculated using the
relationship between VO2 and running speed.12 Maximal HR
was considered as the highest 5 s mean during the treadmill
test.
In this study [la]b measurements were performed sam-
pling players’ earlobe blood using a miniphotometer (Doctor
Lange Plus LP20, Dr. Lange, Germany). Blood was collected
in a capillary and then stored in a heparinised probe for
later analysis. Before each testing session the lactate analyser
was calibrated according to manufacturer guidelines using a
calibration solution of a known concentration.
In this research HRs were monitored and analysed with
a short-range telemetry system (Polar Team System, Polar
Electro Oy, Kempele, Finland).
3. Statistical analyses
Data is reported as mean and 95% confidence intervals
(95% CI). Before using parametric tests, the assump-
tion of normality was verified using the Shapiro–Wilkes
W-test. One-way ANOVA with repeated measurements
were used to assess group differences. Relationship
between variables was assessed using Pearson’s coef-
492 C. Castagna et al. / Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 12 (2009) 490–494

Table 1
Treadmill testing results
Variables Mean (95% CI)
VO2max (ml kg−1 min−1 ) 64.8 (53.8–75.8)
Speed at VO2max (ml kg−1 min−1 ) 18.3 (15.5–21)
Peak treadmill speed (km h−1 ) 18.7 (15.9–21.5)
RE at 8 km h−1 (ml kg−1 min−1 ) 33.7 (30–39)
VO2 at VT (ml kg−1 min−1 ) 46.0 (36–56)
%VO2max at VT 71.0 (65–77)
Speed at VT (km h−1 ) 12.9 (10.2–15.5)
HR at VT (beat min−1 ) 162 (148–176)
%HRmax at VT 84.8 (80.3–89.3)
VEmax (l min−1 ) 162 (132–191)
HRmax (beat min−1 ) 191 (175–206)
[la]bmax (mmol l−1 ) 11.3 (6.4–16.2)
VO2max = maximal oxygen uptake; RE = running economy; HR = heart rates;
VT = ventilatory threshold; VE = ventilation; [la]b = blood-lactate concen-
tration; 95% CI = 95% confidence interval. Fig. 2. Profile of Futsal game activities (% of game total distance, mean and
95% confidence interval).

ficient. Significance was assumed at 5% (p ≤ 0.05) a
priori.
4. Results
The results of the treadmill test are shown in Table 1. Game
mean VO2 and HR were 76% (59–92) and 90% (84–96)
of maximal treadmill test values. The peak VO2 and HRs
during the simulated game-play were 99% (88–109) and
98% (90–106) of VO2max and HRmax , respectively. Mean
game VO2 was 48.6 (40.1–57.1) ml kg−1 min−1 . Players
spent 46 and 52% of the playing time at exercise intensities
higher than 80 and 90% of VO2max and HRmax , respec-
tively (see Fig. 1). Mean blood-lactate concentration was 5.3
(1.1–10.4) mmol l−1 . The mean HR during the experimen-
tal games were significantly lower (169 vs. 176 beats min−1 ,
p < 0.01) than the correspondent HR values attained during
championship games by the same players. However, no sig-
nificant differences (p > 0.05) were found for time spent with
HR above 90% of HRmax between the two conditions. No
mean differences across game periods were detected for mean
HR (p > 0.05).
An inverse significant relationship was found between
VO2max level and time spent above 90%HRmax (r = −0.79,
p < 0.01).
The activity profile of game activities is presented in Fig. 2.
Analyses of game activities showed that players covered
121 (105–137) m min−1 per playing minute. Sprinting and
high-intensity running accounted for 5% (1–11) and 12%
(3.8–19.5) of total playing time, respectively. During each
game period players performed 26.4 (13–39) high-intensity
running bouts of which 7.2 (1.5–12.9) were sprints. Accord-
ingly, mean players performed a sprint bout every ∼79 s
of play. However, during the game 54% of the recovery
bouts between sprints were less than 40 s. Mean sprint bout
distance and duration were 10.5 m (6.2–14.8) and 1.95 s
(1.4–2.5), respectively. Distance covered per minute signifi-
cantly decreased during the third and fourth period (p < 0.05).
High-intensity distance significantly decreased during the
fourth period (p < 0.05). No significant correlations were
found between match performance and physiological vari-
ables.
5. Discussion

The main finding of this study was that during a Fut-

Fig. 1. Percentage of game time spent in selected VO2 and HR intensity
zones (mean and 95% confidence interval).
sal game played by professional players, aerobic power
was heavily taxed accounting for 76% of maximal indi-
vidual values. The substantial physical demands of Futsal
were evidenced by VO2 requirements in the range of
45–50 ml kg−1 min−1 and repeated high-intensity efforts (a
sprint bout every 79 s of play).
Game intensity elicited average HR and VO2 values
that were approximately 6% higher than the correspond-
ing values at VT. These exercise intensities are higher than
those found in competitive soccer,13 but similar to val-
ues reported for professional basketball.14 The mean HR
found in this investigation were significantly lower than
that showed by the same players during championships
 C. Castagna et al. / Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 12 (2009) 490–494
games. Although the higher championship game mean HR
may be due to competitive stress,3 it could be speculated
that in competitive Futsal aerobic involvement may be even
higher.1
The %VO2max attained by professional Futsal players
was similar to that reported by Hoff et al.4 but higher than
those found by Castagna et al.3 in professional and young
regional-level soccer players during 5-a-side drills, respec-
tively. Consequentially, it could be speculated that along with
court dimensions,5 competitive level and skill level may play
inherent roles in game demands in 5-a-side soccer.
Conversely to what was reported by Castagna et al.3
for recreational 5-a-side players an inverse significant
relationship was found between VO2max level and time
spent above 90%HRmax . This may suggest that Futsal
players with higher aerobic power may play more eco-
nomically given the mean game demands experienced of
48.6 (40.1–57.1) ml kg−1 min−1 .5,7 Therefore it appears that
Futsal coaches and fitness trainers should consider this
when implementing small-sided games with aerobic fitness
development aims.4 In this regard variation in players num-
ber and/or court dimensions may result useful in ball-drill
intensity.4
This study players showed VO2max values that were within
the ranges that Reilly et al.15 and Barbero et al.16 consid-
ered to be advisable to play soccer and Futsal at elite level,
respectively. A recent study showed that VO2max may be con-
sidered as a discriminative physiological variable in Futsal of
different competitive levels.16
As a consequence of VO2 game demands and the indi-
vidual level of VO2max a well developed maximal aerobic
power seems to be advisable in professional Futsal play-
ers. It is in this study authors’ opinion that given the mean
VO2 game demand of (48.6 (40.1–57.1) ml kg−1 min−1 ) pro-
fessional players should possess VO2max levels of at least
55 ml kg−1 min−1 (mean + 1S.D.) to cope with game physi-
ological requirements.
In this study anaerobic involvement was examined con-
sidering [la]b derived from random blood sampling during
actual game-play.8 The results [la]b were similar to those
previously reported in soccer by several authors.13 We nor-
malised [la]b data according to maximal values obtained
at the end of exhaustive treadmill tests. As a conse-
quence of that players attained during the game [la]b
that at times were close to 80–85% of exhaustion val-
ues.
The present results show that professional Futsal may
elicit high blood-lactate levels and suggests that anaero-
bic metabolism can be an important contributor to energy
provision during games. In fact analysis of game activi-
ties showed the existence of sprint bouts sequences (3–4
bouts) with very short recovery time (20–30 s of lower
intensity activity) occurring during crucial phases of the
game. Consequently the ability to repeat sprint with short
recovery time (20–30 s) may be considered as a Futsal-
specific physical ability to be trained. As in this study
493
only random blood sampling was used therefore it is
not possible to establish a clear cause-effect between
repeated sprinting and blood-lactate concentration. How-
ever in light of the recent findings repeat sprint bout could
be a plausible explanation of the events that caused the
occasionally high blood-lactate concentrations during the
game.8
In this study a significant relationship was found between
game [la]b and %HRmax attained by players during the 60 s
preceding blood sampling (r = 0.67, p = 0.03). This means
that game [la]b are significantly related with pre-blood
sampling activities also in Futsal.14,17 Consequently blood
sampling selectively undertaken after crucial game phases
(see above) may reveal greater anaerobic involvements than
what were reported.8 However recent studies showed that
[la]b should be regarded as a poor indicator of muscle lac-
tate production during casually intermittent exercises like
soccer.8 Consequently definitive inference about the role of
anaerobic metabolism during Futsal games may be drawn
only after more detailed studies using muscle biopsies.8
Analyses of game activities showed that the mean
coverage-rate (121 m min−1 ) was very similar to
what reported in competitive professional Futsal
(117.3 m min−1 ).1 However the proportion of distance
covered at high-intensity was lower.1 In this study we used
a performance paradigm that mimicked the usual playing
pattern showed by professional players during competitive
games (see Section 2). Interestingly we observed that only
during the last period of the experimental game players
experienced a significant decrement in high-intensity activity
probably due to fatigue. It appears that 10-min play and
5-min rest may result an interesting strategy to be used by
coaches during competitions.
It could be concluded that Futsal is an intermittent high-
intensity game that heavily taxes the aerobic and anaerobic
pathways. Direct game VO2 assessment showed that players
need at least 50–55 ml kg−1 min−1 of VO2max to play Futsal
at professional level. Consequently aerobic power should be
carefully considered in talent selection and training in pro-
fessional Futsal. The occurrence of sequences (3–4) of short
sprints (2–3 s) with brief recovery periods (20–30 s) suggest
that repeated sprint ability may be considered in order to cope
with crucial moments of the game.18
Practical implications
• Professional Futsal players require a well
developed aerobic fitness to play success-
fully.
• Repeated sprint ability should be considered
as a Futsal specific capacity.
494 C. Castagna et al. / Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 12 (2009) 490–494
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