Article Text
Abstract
Background Futsal has high injury's incidence due to intensive training and reduced recovery time between games. Intrinsic factors, which predispose to injury could be investigated by preseason assessment.
Objective To compare the preseason and 6 months follow up results of single leg hop test and seat and reach test in futsal athletes.
Design This is an observational longitudinal and prospective study to compare preseason results and follow up in different categories futsal athletes.
Setting Athletes from 7 competitive categories under 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20 years old and professionals of a Brazilian sports club, competing in national level.
Participants 75 male athletes, mean age of 14.71 years (±2.44), mean weight of 56.95 kg (±12.33) and average height of 166.44 cm (±10.47).
Risk factor assessment The athletes were evaluated using single leg hop test and sit and reach test in February (preseason) and September of 2012.
Main outcome measurements Two tests were analyzed (single leg hop test and seat and reach test) to compare preseason and 6 months follow up results. The paired t-test was used for statistical analysis by SPSS software, version 19.0.
Results All categories except under 17 and 18 showed improvement in values of the single leg hop test (P<.005) on both sides. No significant difference in single leg hop test symmetry were observed except in under 20 (P=.037). The seat and reach test values improved in all categories with a significant difference (P<.005) in under 12, 14 and 15.
Conclusions The changes between preseason and 6 months later were expected and could be associated with improvements in strenght, power and flexibility. The tests changes indicated a physical capacity enhancement revolving around injury prevention by intrinsic factors management.