HIIT With an Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Program in Futsal Players

Effects of High-intensity Interval Training With an Eccentric Hamstring Exercise Program in Futsal Players

Physiotherapy protocols based on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or eccentric hamstring exercises like Nordic Curl (NC) have been scarcely studied in futsal players. The hypothesis of this study is that a HIIT combined with an NC exercise program is more effective than a HIIT-only program in improving physical and functional characteristics in futsal players.

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a HIIT combined with an NC exercise program versus a HIIT-only program in futsal players. Therefore, a randomized controlled trial will be carried out. Futsal players will be divided into 1) HIIT+NC group and 2) HIIT group. The HIIT+NC group will perform a HIIT circuit combined with 3 sets of 10 NC repetitions for 4 weeks, while the HIIT group will perform the same protocol without NC exercise. BMI, intermittent work performance, vertical jump performance without and with arms, isometric strength of quadriceps and hamstrings, and the isometric H/Q ratio, will be assessed before and after the interventions.

The training program in the HIIT+NC group was divided into the following parts: i) warm-up (10 minutes); ii) HIIT (25 minutes) consisting of a circuit of eight exercises; iii) Nordic curl exercise (10 mintues); and iv) stretching.

The HIIT group performed the same exercises in the warm-up, HIIT and stretching sections as the HIIT+NC group, however, they did not perform the NC eccentric exercises.

Intermittent work performance will be assessed with the 30x15 Intermittence Test (30x15IFT). The speed of the test will be recorded in km/h. The higher the speed achieved, the better work performance.

Intermittent work performance will be assessed with the 30x15 Intermittence Test (30x15IFT). The speed of the test will be recorded in km/h. The higher the speed achieved, the better the work performance.

Vertical jump performance without arm impulse will be measured with the Counter Movement Jumping Test (CMJ). The jump height was calculated using the My Jump 2 program (My Jump Lab, Madrid, Spain) in cm. The higher the height achieved, the better the vertical jump performance.

Vertical jump performance without arm impulse will be measured with the Counter Movement Jumping Test (CMJ). The jump height was calculated using the My Jump 2 program (My Jump Lab, Madrid, Spain) in cm. The higher the height achieved, the better the vertical jump performance.

Vertical jump performance with arm impulse will be measured with the Counter Movement Jumping Test (CMJ). The jump height was calculated using the My Jump 2 program (My Jump Lab, Madrid, Spain) in cm. The higher the height achieved, the better the vertical jump performance.

Vertical jump performance with arm impulse will be measured with the Counter Movement Jumping Test (CMJ). The jump height was calculated using the My Jump 2 program (My Jump Lab, Madrid, Spain) in cm. The higher the height achieved, the better the vertical jump performance.

Maximal quadriceps isometric strength will be measured using the Adapted Quadriceps Sphygmomanometer Test in mmHg. The higher the pressure (mmHg) achieved, the better the quadriceps isometric strength.

Maximal quadriceps isometric strength will be measured using the Adapted Quadriceps Sphygmomanometer Test in mmHg. The higher the pressure (mmHg) achieved, the better the quadriceps isometric strength.

Maximal hamstrings isometric strength will be measured using the Adapted Hamstrings Sphygmomanometer Test in mmHg. The higher the pressure (mmHg) achieved, the better the hamstrings isometric strength.

Maximal hamstrings isometric strength will be measured using the Adapted Hamstrings Sphygmomanometer Test in mmHg. The higher the pressure (mmHg) achieved, the better the hamstrings isometric strength.

Isometric hamstrings/quadriceps (H/Q) ratio will be calculated by dividing the values obtained previously in the maximum isometric strength test of the hamstrings by those obtained in the quadriceps test. The value closer to 1, the greater the balance between the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles.

Isometric hamstrings/quadriceps (H/Q) ratio will be calculated by dividing the values obtained previously in the maximum isometric strength test of the hamstrings by those obtained in the quadriceps test. The value closer to 1, the greater the balance between the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles.

Inclusion Criteria: Futsal players, over 18 years of age. Exclusion Criteria: Those who had a medical condition that prevented them from performing any of the evaluations. Those who declined to participate

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