Fitness and Performance Testing of Male and Female Beach Soccer Players—A Preliminary Investigation

• Published in: Frontiers in sports and active living Vol. 3; p. 636308
• Main Authors: Larsen, Malte N., Ermidis, Georgios, Brito, João, Ørner, Cecilie, Martins, Clarice, Lemos, Luís Filipe, Krustrup, Peter, Rago, Vincenzo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 23.02.2021
• Subjects: Beach soccer; fitness; power; Sports and Active Living; sprint; performance; power; Beach soccer; fitness; sprint
• ISSN: 2624-9367; 2624-9367
• DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2021.636308

Purpose: This study aimed to compare performance on sand and a firm surface and to describe the physical capacity of male and female beach soccer players. Methods: Sixty-six male and 29 female competitive beach soccer players voluntarily participated in this study. Firstly, within-subjects test scores were compared to scores on a firm surface (criterion validity; n = 15 men) and reconducted on a second occasion (reliability; n = 51 men). Secondly, the best score on sand was retained to compare test performance between ages (classified as below 20, 20–30, and above 30 years) and sexes. Performance assessments included sprint time over 5 and 15 m (once on a firm surface and twice on sand), standing long jump (SLJ, once on a firm surface and twice on sand) and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1, once on a firm surface and once on sand; only data for men were available). Results: Five-m sprint and Yo-Yo IR1 performance on sand were not correlated to performance on a firm surface ( P > 0.05). Test-retest reliability was acceptable for the 15-m sprint and SLJ tests (ICC > 0.90; CV < 5%). Performance in 15-m sprint and maximal sprinting speed were moderately lower in male players aged above 30 years. compared to players aged below 30 years ( d = 0.35–0.42; P < 0.05). Irrespective of the age group, weight-bearing power-based performance mass was moderately to very largely higher in male players than in female players ( d = 0.42–0.88; P < 0.05). Conclusions: The lack of a consistent relationship between performance on sand and on a firm surface might indicate the need to develop specific test batteries for sand-based athletes. Age-related differences in physical performance were evident only in sprint capacity. Further studies are warranted to elucidate our preliminary findings and to develop the sand specific tests.