Abstract
Aim
To summarise the available scientific evidence with respect to the game demands, injury epidemiology, and injury prevention strategies in futsal.
Data Sources
Key electronic databases were searched for publications (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus). Study Selection Peer-reviewed publications were considered eligible if they were focused on the game demands, injury epidemiology, or injury prevention in futsal.
Results
Futsal is a high-intensity game that requires substantial aerobic and anaerobic capacities of players. The injury incidence in futsal (2.03-5.90 injuries/1000 player hours) is comparable to football (2.22-5.52 injuries/1000 player hours). Injuries to the lower extremities are the most common (up to 88 % of all injuries). Most injuries are acute and caused by a contact situation, especially with another player (up to 46 % of all contact injuries). The 11+ has been shown to improve some performance measures in futsal players (jump, sprint, core strength, agility). In one study, the 11+ was found effective in reducing the number of futsal injuries (44% injury reduction).
Conclusions
Futsal is a high-intensity game with a comparable injury profile to football. Injury-prevention strategies have been poorly investigated in futsal. Future research should focus on the implementation of injury-prevention measures and the possible adaptation of the 11+ in the futsal environment.
