Differences in Sprint Mechanical Force-Velocity Profile Between Trained Soccer and Futsal Players

Abstract

Purpose::
This study aimed to compare the sprint mechanical force-velocity (F-V) profile between soccer and futsal players. A secondary aim was, within each sport, to study the differences in sprint mechanical F-V profile between sexes and players of different levels.

Methods::
102 soccer players (63 men) and 77 futsal players (49 men) that were competing from the elite to amateur levels in the Spanish league participated in this investigation. The testing procedure consisted of 3 unloaded maximal 40-m sprints. The velocity-time data recorded by a radar device was used to calculate the variables of the sprint acceleration F-V profile (maximal theoretical force [F0], maximal theoretical velocity [V0], maximal power [Pmax], decrease in the ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force [DRF], and maximal ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force [RFpeak]).

Results::
Futsal players showed a higher F0 than soccer players (effect size [ES] range: 0.11 to 0.74), while V0 (ES range: -0.48 to -1.15) and DRF (ES range: -0.75 to -1.45) was higher for soccer players. No significant differences were observed between soccer and futsal players for Pmax (ES range: -0.43 to 0.19) and RFpeak (ES range: -0.49 to 0.30). Men and high-level players presented an overall enhanced F-V profile compared to women and their lower-level counterparts, respectively.

Conclusions::
The higher F0 and lower V0 of futsal players could be caused by the specific game's demand (larger number of accelerations but of shorter distances compared to soccer). These results show that the sprint mechanical F-V profile is able to distinguish between soccer and futsal players.

Full text

Jiménez-Reyes et al. IJSPP 2018 Force-Velocity profile in soccer and futsal
Differences in sprint mechanical force-velocity
profile between trained soccer and futsal players
Pedro JIMÉNEZ-REYES1,2*, Amador GARCÍA-RAMOS3,4, Víctor CUADRADO-
PEÑAFIEL5, Juan A PÁRRAGA-MONTILLA6, José AMORCILLO-LOSA6, Pierre
SAMOZINO7, Jean-Benoît MORIN8,9
1 Centre for Sport Studies, King Juan Carlos University, Madrid, Spain. 2 Faculty of Sport, Catholic University of San Antonio, Murcia, Spain.
3 Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
4 Department of Sports Sciences and Physical Conditioning, Faculty of Education, CIEDE, Catholic University of Most Holy Concepción, Concepción,
Chile.
5 Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Technical University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
6 Department of Corporal Expression. University of Jaen, Jaén, Spain.
7 Laboratoire Interuniversitaire de Biologie de la motricité (EA7424), University of Savoie Mont Blanc, France.
8 Université Côte d’Azur, LAMHESS, Nice, France.
9 Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ), Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.
*Corresponding author:
Pedro Jimé nez-Reyes, PhD
Centre for Sport Studies, King Juan Carlos University.
Av. de Atenas s/n, 28922-Alcorcó n, Madrid.
peterjr49@hotmail.com
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to compare the sprint mechanical force-velocity (F-V) profile
between soccer and futsal players. A secondary aim was, within each sport, to study the
differences in sprint mechanical F-V profile between sexes and players of different levels.
Methods: 102 soccer players (63 men) and 77 futsal players (49 men) that were competing
from the elite to amateur levels in the Spanish league participated in this investigation. The
testing procedure consisted of 3 unloaded maximal 40-m sprints. The velocity-time data
recorded by a radar device was used to calculate the variables of the sprint acceleration F-V
profile (maximal theoretical force [F0], maximal theoretical velocity [V0], maximal power
[Pmax], decrease in the ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force [DRF], and maximal ratio of
horizontal-to-resultant force [RFpeak]). Results: Futsal players showed a higher F0 than soccer
players (effect size [ES] range: 0.11 to 0.74), while V0 (ES range: -0.48 to -1.15) and DRF (ES
range: -0.75 to -1.45) was higher for soccer players. No significant differences were observed
between soccer and futsal players for Pmax (ES range: -0.43 to 0.19) and RFpeak (ES range: -
0.49 to 0.30). Men and high-level players presented an overall enhanced F-V profile compared
to women and their lower-level counterparts, respectively. Conclusions: The higher F0 and
lower V0 of futsal players could be caused by the specific game's demand (larger number of
accelerations but of shorter distances compared to soccer). These results show that the sprint
mechanical F-V profile is able to distinguish between soccer and futsal players.
Key words: sprint running, maximal force, maximal velocity, maximal power

Jiménez-Reyes et al. IJSPP 2018 Force-Velocity profile in soccer and futsal
Introduction
Soccer and futsal are two popular sports in many countries.1 Although soccer and futsal present
different physical demands, the ability to perform accelerations and sprints is of paramount
importance for reaching success in both sports.2–5 Thus, it is not surprising that numerous studies
have been conducted to investigate the effects of different training methods on acceleration and
maximal sprint capacities.5–9 A new training approach based on the force-velocity (F-V) profile
has gained in popularity over recent years to enhance sprint performance.10,11 Namely, the F-V
profile in sprinting can be determined with the use of affordable devices such as radars or mobile
applications, and the outcomes of the F-V profile (i.e., maximal theoretical force [F0], maximal
theoretical velocity [V0], F-V slope, and maximal power [Pmax]) can be used to implement
individualised training programs.11,12 The assessment of the F-V profile in sprinting also allows
to determine the mechanical effectiveness in force application, which is related to the percentage
of the resultant force that is produced in the horizontal direction.10 Two variables, which have
been significantly correlated with sprint performance,13 are commonly used to assess the
mechanical effectiveness in force application: the maximal ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force
[RFpeak] and the decrease in the ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force [DRF] throughout the
acceleration phase. In this regard, it could be of interest for strength and conditioning coaches
using the F-V approach in practice to have a reference of the sprint mechanical F-V profile of elite
male and female soccer and futsal players.
It is known that during competitions futsal players typically perform a higher number of short
accelerations than soccer players, while the number of sprints that are performed at or close to
maximal velocity are higher in soccer.4 These differences could be caused by the smaller
dimensions of futsal fields (40 × 20 m) as compared to soccer fields (≈ 105 × 70 m) as well as by
the lower number of players involved in futsal (5 vs. 11), which presumably require futsal players
to be more active during the game. Therefore, since horizontal F0 capacity seems to be especially
relevant for short accelerations and horizontal V0 capacity is of paramount importance for long
accelerations and for reaching a high sprint velocity,10 the comparison of the F-V profile between
soccer and futsal players is expected to reveal a higher F0 for futsal players but a higher V0 for
soccer players. These results are expected not only due to the effect of the sport-specific actions
performed during competitions, but also because the training programs of both sports should
differ to prepare the players to the specific physical demands of the sport. However, to our
knowledge, no previous study has compared the sprint mechanical F-V profile between soccer
and futsal players. This comparison could be relevant to describe the specific demands of futsal,
and assess the sensitivity of the sprint mechanical F-V profile to distinguish athletes from
different sport codes.
Soccer and futsal are complex sports in which technical and tactical skills are predominant
factors.14–16 However, since high-velocity actions (e.g., sprints, changes of direction, accelerations,
kicks, etc.) are of paramount importance in both soccer and futsal, it could be expected that elite
players of both sports present higher values of F0, V0 and Pmax compared to their low-level
counterparts. Note that previous studies have revealed that high-level athletes typically present
higher scores in fitness tests than their low-level counterparts.5,17 However, no previous study
has examined whether the sprint mechanical F-V profile could also discriminate between players
of different competitive levels. In addition, it would also be interesting to evaluate the F-V profiles
of men and women to obtain reference values of the sprint mechanical F-V profile of elite players
of both sexes. These comparisons would allow to elucidate whether the sprint mechanical F-V
profile could distinguish soccer and futsal players competing at different levels as well as between
players of different sex competing at the same level.
To address these research gaps, we evaluated the sprint mechanical F-V profile of men and
women who were competing at different levels (from elite to amateur) in soccer and futsal.
Specifically, the main aim of the present study was to compare the sprint mechanical F-V profile

Jiménez-Reyes et al. IJSPP 2018 Force-Velocity profile in soccer and futsal
between soccer and futsal players. A secondary aim was, within each sport, to study the
differences in sprint mechanical F-V profile between men and women as well as between players
of different competing levels. Our general hypothesis was that futsal players would present a
higher F0 and a lower V0 since a larger number of accelerations but of shorter distances are
typically performed during futsal competitions compared to soccer.18,19 Due to the well-known
differences in strength capacities between men and women20 and that sprint ability has been
shown to distinguish players from different performance levels,5 we also hypothesised that men
players and elite-level would present higher values of F0, V0, Pmax, DRF and RFpeak compared to
women and their low-level counterparts. The expected results are valuable to discern whether
the sprint mechanical F-V profile could discriminate between athletes of different sports, sex, and
levels of practice.
Methods
Participants
102 soccer players (63 men and 39 women) and 77 futsal players (49 men and 28 women) that
were competing in the Spanish soccer or futsal league at the time of the study participated in this
investigation. The descriptive characteristics of the study sample by sport, sex, and level of
practice are shown in Table 1. All players were free from health problems or musculoskeletal
injuries during the three months preceding data collection and they were instructed to avoid any
strenuous exercise the two days before testing. They were informed of the study procedures and
signed a written informed consent form prior to initiating the study. The study protocol adhered
to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Institutional Review Board.
Table 1. Characteristics of the study sample by sport, sex, and level of practice.
Group
Level of practice
Age (years)
Body mass (kg)
Height (m)
Men soccer players
First division (n=21)
27.1 ± 3.2
78.2 ± 9.2
1.79 ± 0.04
Second division (n=18)
25.6 ± 3.9
73.0 ± 7.6
1.77 ± 0.06
Third division (n=17)
24.8 ± 4.4
74.3 ± 7.6
1.80 ± 0.06
Fifth division (n=17)
21.4 ± 3.3
75.5 ± 9.4
1.80 ± 0.07
Women soccer players
First division (n=19)
22.2 ± 3.1
59.7 ± 4.8
1.66 ± 0.06
Second division (n=20)
19.2 ± 2.1
55.5 ± 7.0
1.63 ± 0.08
Men futsal players
First division (n=39)
24.8 ± 3.8
73.8 ± 7.7
1.78 ± 0.06
Second division (n=10)
23.3 ± 3.2
71.8 ± 8.6
1.77 ± 0.03
Women futsal players
First division (n=28)
21.8 ± 3.1
58.2 ± 6.1
1.64 ± 0.06
Mean ± standard deviation.
Study Design
This cross-sectional study was designed to compare the main components of the force-velocity
profile in sprint (F0, V0, Pmax, DRF, and RFpeak) and performance variables (5- and 20-m sprint
time) between soccer and futsal players. To conduct a more exhaustive analysis, participants

Jiménez-Reyes et al. IJSPP 2018 Force-Velocity profile in soccer and futsal
were also sub-categorised based on their sex and level of practice. All players were evaluated
during their competitive period.
Testing Procedure
All subjects performed a 10-min warm-up consisting of 5 min of jogging and 5 min of lower limb
dynamic stretching. As part of the specific warm-up, subjects performed 3 progressive sprints of
40 m at 50%, 70% and 90% effort.21 After 4 min of rest, subjects performed 3 maximal sprints of
40 m from a crouching position (staggered-stance) with 4 min of rest between successive sprints.
The velocity-time data of each sprint were collected via a Stalker Acceleration Testing System
(ATS) II radar device (Model: Stalker ATS II, Applied Concepts, Dallas, TX, USA) at 46.9 Hz. The
radar device was attached to a tripod 10 m from the starting line at a height of 1 m corresponding
approximately to the height of subjects' centre of mass. The velocity-time data were used to
determine the variables of interest of the sprint mechanical F-V profile (F0, V0, Pmax, DRF, and
RFpeak) according to the Samozino's method as well as sprint time to 5 and 20 m. The Samozino's
method is a macroscopic biomechanical model that has been validated to estimate external
horizontal force production during sprinting from the velocity of the centre of mass using the
inverse dynamic approach.10 Briefly, a mono-exponential function was applied to raw velocity-
time data using a custom-made spreadsheet and a least-square regression fitting procedure.
From this point, the acceleration of the athlete’s centre-of-mass in the forward direction can be
calculated from the changes in running velocity over time, and net horizontal antero-posterior
ground reaction forces calculated by considering the body mass of the athlete and aerodynamic
friction force. Finally, individual F-V linear relationships were generated by fitting force and
velocity dataset with least squares linear regressions, and F0 and V0 were determined as the x and
y intercepts of these linear regressions. Pmax was determined as (F0·V0/4), as detailed by Samozino
et al.10 The ratio of force was calculated as the ratio of the horizontally-oriented (antero-
posterior) component to the total ground-reaction force.13 RFpeak corresponded to the maximal
value of the ratio of force (i.e. at the very beginning of the acceleration phase), and the linear
decrease in the ratio of force with velocity was calculated and presented as an index of the ability
to maintain high the ratio of force throughout the acceleration phase (DRF).13
Statistical analysis
Descriptive data are presented as means and standard deviations. Independent samples t-tests
and Cohen's d effect size (ES) with the 90% confidence intervals were used to compare the sprint
mechanical F-V profile (F0, V0, Pmax, F-V slope, DRF, and RFpeak) between sports, sexes, and level
of practice. Statistical comparisons were always performed keeping constant two of the three
factors (e.g., soccer and futsal players were compared between groups of the same sex and level
of practice). The scale used for interpretation the magnitude of the effect size was specific to
training research: negligible (<0.2), small (0.2–0.5), moderate (0.5–0.8), and large (≥0.8).22 Data
were analysed using Office Excel 2010 (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA).
Results
The descriptive outcomes of the sprint mechanical F-V profile observed for each group is
displayed in Table 2. Futsal players showed a higher F0 than soccer players (ES range: 0.11 to
0.74), lower values of V0 (ES range: -0.48 to -1.15) and DRF (ES range: -0.75 to -1.45) than soccer
players, and no significant differences were observed between soccer and futsal players for Pmax
(ES range: -0.43 to 0.19) and RFpeak (ES range: -0.49 to 0.30) (Figure 1). Men presented higher
values of F0 (ES range: -1.19 to -2.18), V0 (ES range: -2.11 to -3.61), Pmax (ES range: -2.61 to -3.48),
DRF (ES range: -0.11 to -1.32), and RFpeak (ES range: -1.33 to -2.13) than women (Figure 2).
Players of higher level of practice generally revealed larger values of F0, V0, Pmax and RFpeak than
their low level counterparts, while the comparison of DRF was less conclusive (Figure 3).

Jiménez-Reyes et al. IJSPP 2018 Force-Velocity profile in soccer and futsal
Table 2. Descriptive data (mean ± standard deviation) of the sprint mechanical force-velocity profile and sprint time displayed by sport, sex, and level
of practice.
Group
Level of practice
F0
(N·kg-1)
V0
(m·s-1)
Pmax
(W·kg-1)
F-V slope
(N·s·m-1·kg-1)
DRF
(%)
RFpeak
(%)
5-m time
(s)
20-m time
(s)
Men soccer players
First division (n=21)
7.35 ± 0.69
9.25 ± 0.61
16.9 ± 1.9
-0.798 ± 0.091
-7.08 ± 0.82
48.0 ± 3.6
1.38 ± 0.06
3.38 ± 0.12
Second division (n=18)
7.07 ± 0.43
9.17 ± 0.49
16.1 ± 1.1
-0.774 ± 0.070
-7.03 ± 0.61
46.2 ± 3.2
1.40 ± 0.03
3.42 ± 0.08
Third division (n=17)
6.77 ± 0.63
9.08 ± 0.45
15.3 ± 1.8
-0.746 ± 0.068
-6.78 ± 0.63
44.6 ± 3.3
1.43 ± 0.06
3.46 ± 0.11
Fifth division (n=17)
6.69 ± 0.54
8.70 ± 0.49
14.5 ± 1.6
-0.770 ± 0.067
-7.15 ± 0.59
44.6 ± 3.3
1.44 ± 0.06
3.54 ± 0.13
Women soccer players
First division (n=19)
6.30 ± 0.43
8.12 ± 0.44
12.7 ± 1.2
-0.778 ± 0.058
-7.16 ± 0.54
43.9 ± 2.4
1.50 ± 0.05
3.72 ± 0.12
Second division (n=20)
6.45 ± 0.59
7.60 ± 0.38
12.2 ± 1.3
-0.851 ± 0.088
-7.97 ± 0.79
41.9 ± 3.2
1.50 ±0.05
3.78 ± 0.11
Men futsal players
First division (n=39)
7.70 ± 0.51
9.01 ± 0.43
17.2 ± 1.4
-0.856 ± 0.070
-7.60 ± 0.62
49.0 ± 2.8
1.36 ± 0.04
3.36 ± 0.09
Second division (n=10)
7.11 ± 0.23
8.84 ± 0.21
15.7 ± 0.5
-0.806 ± 0.037
-7.57 ± 0.53
46.7 ± 1.4
1.40 ± 0.02
3.46 ± 0.04
Women futsal players
First division (n=28)
6.63 ± 0.46
7.64 ± 0.40
12.6 ± 1.2
-0.870 ± 0.068
-8.09 ± 0.70
42.5 ± 3.4
1.49 ± 0.05
3.77 ± 0.13
F0, theoretical maximal force; V0, theoretical maximal velocity; Pmax, theoretical maximal power; F-V slope, slope of the force-velocity relationship;
DRF, decrease in the ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force; RFpeak, maximal ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force.

Jiménez-Reyes et al. IJSPP 2018 Force-Velocity profile in soccer and futsal
Figure 1. Standardised differences (90% confidence intervals) in the sprint mechanical force-
velocity profile between soccer and futsal players. F0, theoretical maximal force; V0, theoretical
maximal velocity; Pmax, theoretical maximal power; DRF, decrease in the ratio of horizontal-to-
resultant force; RFpeak, maximal ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force.

Jiménez-Reyes et al. IJSPP 2018 Force-Velocity profile in soccer and futsal
Figure 2. Standardised differences (90% confidence intervals) in the sprint mechanical force-
velocity profile between men and women competing in the same sport and level of practice. F0,
theoretical maximal force; V0, theoretical maximal velocity; Pmax, theoretical maximal power; DRF,
decrease in the ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force; RFpeak, maximal ratio of horizontal-to-
resultant force.

Jiménez-Reyes et al. IJSPP 2018 Force-Velocity profile in soccer and futsal
Figure 3. Standardised differences (90% confidence intervals) in the sprint mechanical force-
velocity profile between different level of practice in soccer and futsal separately for men and women
players. F0, theoretical maximal force; V0, theoretical maximal velocity; Pmax, theoretical maximal
power; DRF, decrease in the ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force; RFpeak, maximal ratio of
horizontal-to-resultant force.

Jiménez-Reyes et al. IJSPP 2018 Force-Velocity profile in soccer and futsal
Discussion
This study was designed to examine whether the sprint mechanical F-V profile differs between
soccer and futsal players. The main finding revealed a similar Pmax for soccer and futsal players,
while they significantly differed in their F-V profile. Supporting our first hypothesis, futsal players
displayed a F-V profile more oriented towards force capabilities (i.e., a steeper F-V slope; higher
F0 and lower V0) than soccer players. To further explore the sensitivity of the sprint mechanical
F-V profile, the F-V profiles were also compared between men and women and between players
of different competing levels. Supporting our second hypothesis, Pmax was higher for men
compared to women due to larger values of both F0 and V0. However, the relative differences
between men and women were more pronounced for V0, highlighting that the increased ability of
men to produce horizontal force is accentuated at fast running velocities. Our third hypothesis
was also confirmed since players competing at higher levels of practice presented a higher Pmax
with overall similar contributions of F0 and V0. Collectively, these results support the sprint
mechanical F-V profile, which can be quickly and practically determined from the recording of
the displacement- or velocity-time data during an unloaded maximal sprint,10,12 for assessing the
capacities of the neuromuscular system to produce maximal levels of force, velocity, and power
as well as the mechanical effectiveness in sprint running.
Several studies have been conducted to examine and compare components of physical
fitness between soccer and futsal players.23–25 For example, Ünveren23 reported higher sprint and
agility performance for women futsal players as compared to women soccer players, while
Milanović et al.25 did not find differences in agility performance between futsal and soccer players.
However, to our knowledge, this is the first study that has compared the sprint mechanical F-V
profile between soccer and futsal players. Note that the outcomes of the sprint mechanical F-V
profile (e.g., F-V slope) could provide valuable information for implementing individualised
training programs in order to enhance sprint performance.10,11 No substantial differences
between soccer and futsal players were observed for Pmax. However, supporting our first
hypothesis, F0 and V0 were higher for futsal and soccer players, respectively. Consequently, the
DRF was higher for soccer players, which highlights the higher ability of soccer players to keep
applying high amounts of horizontal force when running at high speed. The RFpeak (i.e., the
maximal ratio between the horizontal and resultant force production), which is generally
achieved at the very beginning of the sprint (first step), did not significantly differ between soccer
and futsal players. The absence of significant differences for RFpeak suggests that both horizontal
and resultant ground reaction force productions were higher for futsal players at the beginning
of the sprint. Taken together, these results indicate that the sprint mechanical F-V profile was
able to detect the expected differences in the maximal mechanical capacities as well as in the
mechanical effectiveness of force application during sprinting between soccer and futsal players.
Note again that we hypothesised higher F0 values for futsal players and higher V0 values for soccer
players due to the different physical demands of both sports; higher number of short
accelerations in futsal and more time exposed to high running speed in soccer.18,19
The participation of women in sport competitions have considerably increased over the
recent years. Specifically, women's soccer and futsal competitions are becoming increasingly
popular with important national and international tournaments played all around the world.
However, very little research has been conducted with women athletes as compared to their men
counterparts. In the present study, we aimed to describe and compare the sprint mechanical F-V
profile between men and women competing at the same level of practice. It should be noted that
we recruited men and women from the first Spanish league division of both soccer and futsal,
which highlights the high quality of our study sample knowing that the Spanish league is one of
the strongest in both sports worldwide. As hypothesised, men not only showed higher values of
F0, V0 and Pmax compared to women, but they also presented a higher mechanical effectiveness of
force application in sprint running (i.e., higher DRF and RFpeak). The results of this study also
suggest that when compared to men, women have more impaired their ability to produce force

Jiménez-Reyes et al. IJSPP 2018 Force-Velocity profile in soccer and futsal
at high velocities (i.e., V0) than their ability to produce high levels of horizontal force (i.e., F0). This
result is in agreement with Slawinski et al.26 who found that V0 is the only mechanical variable
correlated to 100-m sprint performance for world-class sprinters. Collectively, these results
suggest that the sprint mechanical F-V profile is sensitive enough to detect between sex
differences.
Since high-velocity actions (e.g., sprints, changes of direction, accelerations, kicks, etc.)
are key physical determinants of performance in both soccer and futsal competitions,2,3 we
hypothesised that the increase in the level of practice would be associated with higher values of
F0, V0, Pmax, DRF and RFpeak. This hypothesis was confirmed since players competing at higher
levels of practice generally presented higher values of F0, V0, Pmax, and RFpeak compared to their
low-level counterparts. The only exception was the DRF, which was only higher for women soccer
players of the first division as compared to their counterparts from the second division, while no
significant differences were observed for the rest of the comparisons (see Figure 3). These results
are in agreement with previous studies that have revealed that high-level athletes typically
present higher scores in fitness tests than their low-level counterparts.27,28 Therefore, these
results suggest that the sprint mechanical F-V profile could help to discriminate between soccer
and futsal players competing at different levels, being the level of practice positively related to
higher sprint mechanical F-V variables.
The traditional performance variables (i.e., 5- and 20-m sprint times) for the different
groups analysed were also reported in the present study. The sprint times of soccer and futsal
players have been frequently measured with photocells, being the subjects instructed to start the
sprint approximately up to 60-70 cm before the starting photocell.29 The worse sprint time
observed in the present study compared to previous studies conducted with similar study sample
could be explained because the subjects are expected to have a higher horizontal velocity at the
initiation of the time recording when photocells are used.30–32 To ensure valid mechanical output
computations based on timing gate data, it is crucial that the timing starts exactly at the moment
of the first increase in horizontal force production.
There is less information regarding the magnitude of the outcomes of the sprint mechanical F-V
profile in the analysed sports. To our knowledge, the sprint mechanical F-V profile of futsal
players has not been reported for men or for women players, while only five studies have
reported the sprint mechanical F-V profile of soccer players.33–37 Therefore, a strength of the
present study is that it provides reference values during the competitive period of the season of
the F-V mechanical profile and performance variables of healthy men and women that were
competing from the amateur to elite levels in both soccer and futsal. Finally, it should be noted
that a cause-effect relationship cannot be established from the results of the present cross-
sectional study. For example, it is unknown whether the better values of the F-V variables
observed for players competing at higher levels of practice is a requisite to reach a high
competitive level or if the training experienced in the higher levels lead to the differences
observed.
Practical Applications
The results of this study support the sprint mechanical F-V profile as a sensitive method of
assessing the capacities of the neuromuscular system to produce maximal levels of force, velocity,
and power as well as the mechanical effectiveness in force application (assessed by DRF and
RFpeak) during sprint running.
Conclusions
The main finding of the present study was that soccer and futsal players present different sprint
mechanical F-V profiles. Namely, while Pmax is similar for players of both sports, futsal players
showed a higher F0 and soccer players a higher V0. This result was probably caused by the higher

Jiménez-Reyes et al. IJSPP 2018 Force-Velocity profile in soccer and futsal
occurrence of short accelerations in futsal and the larger number of sprints performed at (or
near) maximum speed in soccer. The complementary comparison between sex and levels of
practice revealed that the sprint mechanical F-V profile (i.e., F0, V0, Pmax, DRF and RFpeak) was
generally higher for men (compared to women) and for players competing at higher levels of
practice (compared to their lower-level counterparts).
Acknowledgements
Authors would like to thank all the players who performed voluntarily and enthusiastically their
best effort during testing. Special thanks go to our colleagues Javier Toscano-Bendala, Adrián
Castaño-Zambudio, Fernado Capelo-Ramírez and Jorge González-Hernández for their technical
support and help in collecting data.
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