Relationships between isokinetic muscle strength, measures of aerobic fitness, single sprint performance, and repeated-sprint ability in elite futsal players

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine whether measures of isokinetic muscle strength and aerobic fitness are associated with parameters of single sprint performance and/or repeated-sprint ability in elite male futsal players. METHODS: Eleven volunteers (aged 24.1±2.4 yr) from a professional team completed three sessions, scheduled on different days. On Day 1, they performed single- and repeated-sprint ability tests (6 × 30 m sprints with 20 sec of passive recovery between sprints) on a court field. On Day 2, peak concentric and eccentric torque of the knee flexor and extensor muscles at various velocities were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer. Finally, on Day 3, players underwent a maximal graded exercise test on a motorized treadmill. RESULTS: The results showed that peak isokinetic concentric knee extension and flexion torque at all velocities were moderately correlated with 5- and 30-m sprinting performance (from r=-0.609 to r=-0.840; P<0.05) and total sprint time (from r=-0.639 to r=-0.800; P<0.05) derived from the repeated-sprint ability test. However, no significant correlations were found between absolute peak isokinetic concentric or eccentric knee extension and flexion torque at any velocity, 15-m sprinting performance, or sprint decrement (P>0.05). Notably, no measure of aerobic fitness was significantly associated with parameters of single-or repeated-sprint performance (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that muscular strength production capabilities, but not aerobic fitness, are related, at least in part, to sprinting abilities in futsal players.