Effects of different post warm-up strategies for non-starter players in futsal

Abstract

Abstract Futsal warm-up is an important pre-match routine that aims to enhance players’ readiness to competition. However, non-starter players will necessarily have a longer inactive period. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different post warm-up strategies on physical performance of non-starter players in futsal. Thirteen highly trained male futsal players participated in this study during the in-season period. All players performed three different post warm-up strategies on consecutive days: rest (REST), dynamic stretching (DYS) and combined plyometrics with changes of direction drill (PLY-COD). After performing a standard warm-up, players remained inactive for 10 minutes, representing the traditional time window to the beginning of the match. After that, post warm-up strategies were performed. Testing included countermovement jump, reactive strength index, 5 and 10 meters linear sprint and 505 COD test. Players were tested in two moments: 10 minutes after the end of the warm-up and immediately after post warm-up strategy. PLY-COD promoted positive effects in all variables. Running performance was improved with small to moderate effect sizes in linear and COD testing and jumping performance also increased, although with lower effect magnitude. Contrariwise, DYS and REST had a detrimental effect on running and jumping performances. These impairments were more pronounced in running performance after REST. These results show that remaining inactive or with limited effort after warm-up appear to be unfavorable to physical performance of futsal non-starter players. On the other hand, PLY-COD drills may be useful strategies to maintain or even improve physical performance after the standard warm-up.