About this Research Topic

Background

In a recent bibliometric analysis by Millet al., 2021, it was found that 69% of the articles and 75% of the citations in the sports science field focused on 9 sports [football (soccer), cycling, athletics, swimming, distance & marathon running, basketball, baseball, tennis, and rowing]. Therefore, in an attempt to rebalance the scientific literature in the field, Frontiers in Sports and Active Living has organized a series of Research Topics aimed at increasing the scientific output in "underrepresented" sports, including futsal.

Futsal is a team-sport officially authorized by FIFA and is becoming increasingly popular all over the world. It is characterized as a high-intensity intermittent sport that imposes high physical, technical, tactical, and psychological demands on players. The game is played five-a-side (i.e., four on-court players and one goalkeeper), in a 40 × 20 m court, with a 3 × 2 m goalpost and an unlimited number of substitutions.

Due to its growing popularity, a better understanding of the factors underpinning performance in futsal (e.g., the activity profile during match-play, current and novel training and testing practices) as well as the main mechanisms of injury is warranted.

The aim of this Research Topic is to build on the existing scientific literature on futsal and further explore training, testing, and performance at the amateur and elite levels in both female and male athletes. Specifically, we welcome papers that address:

- Factors determining performance, including technical, physiological, biomechanical, psychological and nutritional factors in futsal;

- Training interventions and testing in futsal;

- Injury incidence, prevention and rehabilitation programs in futsal;

- Seasonal variations and the acute and chronic effects of futsal training;

- Developmental pathways and long-term athletic development in futsal;

- Expert Opinions from futsal coaches and strength and conditioning professionals;

Original Research, Systematic Review, Mini Review, Perspective, Methods, Case Report, Hypothesis and Theories are welcome.

Keywords: Futsal, five-a-side soccer, game analysis, physical capacities, training, testing

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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