Background: The FIFA 11+ has shown positive effects on balance and proprioception parameters in football players. As there have been very few research studies involving futsal, we examined the short and long term effects of the FIFA 11+ on static and dynamic balance, as well as proprioception in male amateur futsal players. Methods: Seventy-one male futsal players were randomized to two groups (FIFA 11+: n = 37, age: 27.33 ± 4.33 years; Control: n = 34, age: 25.55 ± 4.65 years). Intervention lasted 10 weeks, 2 sessions per week, succeeded by a 10-week follow-up period. For balance testing, we assessed the single-legged postural sway with a force platform (static balance) and the Y balance test (dynamic balance). Proprioception was assessed with active joint position sense testing. Results: Complete pre-post intervention and follow-up tests were available for 61 players. The FIFA 11+ group showed higher training exposure and lower body mass index and body weight. After adjustment for baseline differences, no significant differences between groups were observed in the pre-post changes for centre of pressure measures, Y-balance and proprioception parameters both at short and long-term. Conclusions: Performing FIFA 11+ for 10 weeks did not improve static and dynamic balance as well as proprioception in amateur futsal players.

The ability of the FIFA 11+ to enhance performance has demonstrated controversial results. Hence, we examined the short and long-term effects of the FIFA 11+ on performance in male amateur futsal players. Seventy-one male futsal players from six amateur clubs were recruited and randomized to an intervention (N.=37, age: 27.0±5.1 years) or a control group (N.=34, age: 26.0±5.1 years). The intervention group was submitted to 10 weeks of FIFA 11+ injury prevention program, 2 sessions/week, followed by a 10-week follow-up period, while the control group performed regular futsal warm-ups during the training sessions. During the follow-up period both groups performed only regular warm-ups during their training sessions. Physical performance was assessed by measuring agility (T-test), sprint (30 m sprint), flexibility (sit-and-reach test) and vertical jump performance (squat jump). Differences between groups were found at baseline for training exposure, body mass index, body weight, flexibility, and sprint. The results of the effect of the FIFA 11+ on the sit-and-reach test, speed and agility did not show differences pre-post intervention, as well as for the 10-week follow-up. Jump performance, showed a significant difference in favor of the control group for the intervention period and the follow-up (crude β: -0.04 [95% CI: -0.06; -0.01]; -0.03 [95% CI: -0.06; -0.00], respectively), however after adjustment for the baseline differences the confidence interval fell out of the range of significance for the intervention and follow-up period (adjusted β, -0.05 [95% CI: -0.10; 0.00]; -0.05 [95% CI: -0.10; 0.04]). The present study has shown no short and long-term performance enhancement in sprint, flexibility, agility and jump performance after the FIFA 11+ in male amateur futsal players.

Background: The FIFA 11+ has shown to increase muscle strength and reduce injury risk. The purpose of this study was to assess the short and long‐term effects of the FIFA 11+ on knee strength, and muscle latency after sudden inversion of amateur futsal players.Methods: Seventy‐one male futsal players were recruited and randomized to a FIFA 11+ (n = 37, age: 27.0 ± 5.1 years) and a control group (n = 34, age: 26.0 ± 5.1 years). The FIFA 11+ programme was executed twice a week, for 10 weeks, followed‐up after 10 weeks where both groups executed regular warm‐ups. Concentric and eccentric isokinetic knee muscle strength was tested and latency time of the evertor muscles after sudden inversion of the ankle was executed with a trapdoor mechanism following an EMG protocol of selected leg muscles (peroneus brevis and peroneus longus).Results: No significant difference were observed between groups for short‐term changes in isokinetic strength after adjustment for baseline differences. At long‐term, significant gains were obtained after adjustment for baseline differences in eccentric strength for both lower limbs as for the H/Q ratios for the dominant limb. No changes between groups were observed in the peroneus brevis and peroneus longus latency time.Conclusions: Performing FIFA 11+ did not have short‐term effects on knee strength and muscle latency after sudden inversion in amateur futsal players. However, significant long‐term benefits were observed for eccentric strength and H/Q ratios.

Objective: This study aimed to describe and characterize injuries sustained by elite male futsal players in Portugal. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Top-tier Portuguese league in the 2019 to 2020 season. Participants: One hundred sixty-seven players from 9 elite/international-level (tier 4) futsal teams. Independent variables: The location, type, body side, body part, mechanism of injury, severity, occurrence, days lost, training, and match exposure were collected. Main Outcome Measures: Injury incidence, prevalence, and burden. Results: The study was conducted during an 8-month season. A total of 133 injuries were recorded, and 92 (67.6%) players sustained injuries. The overall time-loss injury incidence was 4.5 injuries per 1000 hours of exposure. Injury incidence during matches was higher than during training sessions (25.9 vs 3.0 per 1000 hours of exposure, respectively). Average time loss was 9 days, and moderate injuries were the most frequent (44%), followed by mild injuries (24%). Injury burden was 73.8 days lost per 1000 hours of total player exposure. Sprains/ligament (29%) and muscle rupture/tear/strains (32%) were the most common injuries. The groin (19%), thigh (17%), knee (19%), and ankle (15%) were the most affected body areas. Noncontact injuries were the most reported mechanism (65%), and 24% were overuse injuries. Conclusions: This study showed that elite/international-level (tier 4) male futsal players are more prone to noncontact injuries, primarily affecting the lower limbs. The incidence during match play increased by 9-fold compared with training sessions.