Limited evidence exists on how segmental external load is distributed during linear running and how it varies with speed, training intensity, and individual differences. This study examines the external load profile across six body segments in elite female futsal players during linear treadmill running, focusing on the effects of speed and training zone, as well as individual variability. Eight elite players, including six outfield players and two goalkeepers (mean age 23.9 ± 3.4 years, height 164.96 ± 4.22 cm, body mass 60.31 ± 4.56 kg), performed an incremental test and were measured using six WIMU PRO™ inertial sensors. The sensors recorded segmental PlayerLoad, speed, and training zones. Data were analyzed using Linear Mixed Models. The most important results show significant interactions between body location and speed and between body location and training zone (p < 0.001), with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ranging from 0.437 to 0.515. These results indicate variability among players and specific and asymmetrical segmental load patterns. These findings offer practical insights for tailoring individualized training strategies that optimize performance and reduce segment specific overuse injuries.

Introducción: El análisis estadístico en deportes ha evolucionado hacia técnicas multivariantes (EM) para explorar relaciones complejas entre variables y mejorar la comprensión del rendimiento. En futsal, aunque existen estudios sobre aspectos físicos y tácticos, no se ha analizado el uso de EM ni la calidad de los estudios. Este trabajo propone una revisión sistemática para identificar y evaluar el uso de EM en competiciones de futsal, ofreciendo mejoras para el análisis del rendimiento deportivo. Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo fue recopilar, analizar, sintetizar y evaluar la literatura científica que utiliza estadística multivariante en el análisis de las competiciones en futsal. Metodología: Para ello, se siguió una estrategia de búsqueda según directrices PRISMA, con protocolo de extracción de datos Cochrane Consumers and Communication Review Group y directrices para revisiones en el ámbito de Ciencias del Deporte. Se hallaron 27 estudios, los cuales fueron incluidos en síntesis cualitativa. Resultados: Los resultados de esta síntesis cualitativa se organizaron en, a) aspectos sustantivos, b) metodológicos y c) calidad de los estudios. Los resultados más importantes muestran que el 55,6% de los estudios analizaron aspectos técnico-tácticos, 33,3% físicos y 11,1 psicológicos. El 14,8% se publicó en revistas indexadas en SJR y el 85,2% en JCR, de las cuales un 74,1% fueron en revistas de cuartil Q1 y Q2. Discusión: La discusión destacó avances y limitaciones en el uso de estadística multivariante en futsal, subrayando la necesidad de mayor rigor y estandarización metodológica para optimizar futuros estudios sobre rendimiento deportivo. Conclusiones: Esta revisión permitió identificar el uso de métodos multivariantes utilizados para analizar las competiciones de futsal y contrastarla con la información científica disponible y las recomendaciones que se hacen al respecto. Así, esta revisión ofreció puntos de mejora para el uso de la estadística multivariante en el análisis del rendimiento deportivo.

Monitoring the volume and intensity of physical load is essential in elite women’s futsal to optimize performance and prevent injuries. However, external load indicators such as PlayerLoad may underestimate critical moments in competition where the intensity and volume of accelerations and decelerations sharply increase. This study aimed to identify and characterize such critical moments by analyzing the interaction between current score, playing position, match half, and location on acceleration and deceleration volume (distance, km/h) and intensity (peak, m/s²). Thirteen elite female futsal players (age: 29.9 ± 5.1 years; height: 164.96 ± 4.22 cm; body mass: 60.31 ± 4.56 kg) competing in the Spanish First Division were analyzed over a full season. All match accelerations and decelerations recorded with WIMU PRO™ inertial devices were processed using four Linear Mixed Models (LMMs). Significant interactions emerged across all models. Volume increased when winning, particularly among pivots, while intensity rose during adverse conditions, especially when losing at home. Interindividual variability was minimal (ICC < 1%). Physical load in women’s futsal follows two situational patterns: volume increases when leading, and intensity peaks when trailing. Identifying these critical moments provides insight beyond total load metrics, offering guidance for individualized and context-specific injury prevention.

Elite women’s rugby has often been analysed using the male performance model as a reference, despite evidence that women’s rugby presents distinct game demands and potentially different risk profiles. This study aimed to compare the frequency of key contact-related events between elite men’s and women’s rugby. An observational, retrospective, comparative cohort study was conducted using official performance data from 135 international matches from the men’s and women’s Six Nations Championships. Variables were grouped into three categories: Open-Play, Static Phases, and Discipline. Independent samples t-tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and Linear Discriminant Analysis were used to identify sex-based differences. The results showed that men presented a higher frequency of rucks lasting more than 6 s (p < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were found in total tackles (p = 0.378) or total rucks (p = 0.634). In Static Phases, women’s teams recorded significantly more scrums (p < 0.001). In Discipline, women conceded fewer free kicks (p = 0.003) but received more red cards (p = 0.020). In conclusion, elite women’s rugby shares some open-play characteristics with the men’s game but differs in scrum frequency and disciplinary profile, supporting the existence of a distinct contact and risk exposure profile that should be considered when designing training and prevention strategies.

The Relative Age Effect (RAE) describes systematic differences in athlete representation according to birth date, but it remains unclear whether the associated birth-quarter asymmetries vary across geographical contexts or reflect a broadly shared international pattern. This study examined birth-quarter distributions associated with the RAE in senior international football using a cross-sectional sample of 1248 players from the 48 national teams participating in the 2026 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup. Birth-quarter distributions were assessed using χ² goodness-of-fit and independence tests, and a cumulative link mixed model evaluated the effects of age, height, playing position, and continental confederation, with national team included as a random effect. Marginal probabilities by age, spatial mapping of first-half-year births, and exploratory unsupervised cluster analysis were also performed. Birth-quarter distribution differed significantly from an equal reference distribution, with greater representation of players born in the first birth quarter (Q1: January–March) and second birth quarter (Q2: April–June) and lower representation in the fourth birth quarter (Q4: October–December). Playing position and confederation were not significantly associated with birth quarter, whereas player age was the only covariate that remained statistically significant in the mixed-effects model. Older age groups showed a lower representation of players born in Q4. Low between-team variance and weak cluster separation indicated limited differentiation in birth-quarter distributions among the national rosters analysed, although descriptive variation in first-half-year (H1: Q1 + Q2) representation was evident. These findings are consistent with an asymmetric birth-quarter distribution at the senior international level; however, because talent identification and development systems were not directly evaluated, these observations cannot establish specific organizational mechanisms or a uniform structural bias.

Introduction: the analysis and classification of ball possession and goals in futsal had utilized observational instruments adapted from football and others specific to this sport. how-ever, both due to their excessive complexity or lack of methodological description, presented limitations for practical application by coaches. Objective: To design and validate an observation sheet that would allow classifying goals and would enable strategic decision-making, drawing on the experience of experts in this sport. Methodology: A six-phase design was used for the development and validation of the instrument. Techniques such as expert consultation and the calculation of Cohen's Kappa coefficient were employed to ensure the reliability of the observations. Results: An observation instrument with a single variable and 16 categories was designed, allowing the identification of significant differences between teams, with intra- and inter-observer reliability values above 0.8. Discussion: The simplicity of this instrument contrasted with the complexity of existing ones, and its usefulness resided in facilitating quick and reliable analysis for coaches, complementing more detailed research. Conclusions: The instrument is valid, reliable, and allows describing and classifying goals for the performance analysis of futsal teams.