Neuromuscular Characteristics of Female Futsal Players: A Systematic Review

TL;DR

This review summarizes the neuromuscular traits of female futsal players, showing how performance varies with competitive level.

Contribution

The study offers a systematic synthesis of neuromuscular data for female futsal players across different skill levels.

Findings

Elite female futsal players outperformed lower-level players in agility and change of direction tests.

Muscle strength, jumping, and sprinting were commonly assessed using standardized tests like isokinetic dynamometry and 10-30 m sprints.

The review highlights the need for standardized methods to better compare neuromuscular profiles across studies.

Abstract

Background: This systematic review aimed to analyze and synthesize the available evidence on the neuromuscular profile of female futsal players. Methods: The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251055503). PubMed, Scopus and SPORTDiscus databases were searched until May 2025. The eligibility criteria were defined using the PECOS strategy. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Downs and Black modified version. Results: Twenty-three studies were included, covering a total of 433 female players between the ages of 12 and 27. Muscle strength was assessed mainly using an isokinetic dynamometer, jumping ability using the countermovement jump and squat jump, sprinting using the 10 m, 20 m and 30 m tests and agility and change of direction (CoD) using the Illinois agility test. Elite players generally showed a better performance in agility and CoD tests compared to lower-level players. Conclusions: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the neuromuscular profile of female futsal players and highlights trends related to the competitive level. These findings may support evidence-based practices for performance evaluation, training and injury prevention. More studies are needed to standardize methods and understand differences between competitive levels.

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1. Introduction

Futsal, considered the indoor version of five-a-side soccer, originated in 1930 and is officially regulated by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) [1]. It is characterized as an intermittent, high-intensity and unpredictable sport that requires explosive technical and tactical actions under temporal and spatial pressure, such as sprints, jumps, successive accelerations and rapid changes in direction [2]. It is played on a court measuring approximately 40 m × 20 m with 3 m × 2 m goals, between two teams of five players (four field players and a goalkeeper) during two 20 min halves, where the timer is stopped whenever the ball leaves the field of play or there is a foul or a stoppage in play [3,4].

Compared to soccer, technical proficiency in futsal is largely influenced by the specifics of the sport, such as the small size of the ball with 30% less bounce, which forces players to develop more precise control and quick movement of the ball on the ground [5]. In addition, the small size of the court and the dynamic of unlimited substitutions throughout the game require players to make quick decisions, maintain a high speed of execution and be able to repeat sprints under high pressure during offensive and defensive phases [5]. In women’s futsal, match-analysis evidence indicates high internal and external loads, with performance often declining in second halves, and agility and sprint-related capacities emerge as relevant performance components across competitive levels, though measurement heterogeneity remains a challenge [6].

Simultaneously, performance in futsal depends on neuromuscular qualities, particularly high anaerobic power and the ability to generate rapid force [7,8]. In female players, recent evidence suggests that acceleration, repeated short explosive actions and the ability to rapidly have a change of direction (CoD) are especially relevant, aligning with the specificities of the sport (a small field, frequent accelerations/decelerations, recurring 1 vs. 1 duels) [6]. These demands make strength, power and the CoD capacity important for high-level performance [9]. Nevertheless, the specific literature on women advises caution against overemphasizing the maximum speed alone, as differences in the competitive level in women often manifest themselves through acceleration/deceleration and movement efficiency rather than the maximum speed itself [10]. A CoD in futsal is commonly assessed with field tests such as the Illinois Agility Test (IAT), 505/Modified-505, t-test and other short-distance protocols which incorporate rapid decelerations and re-accelerations [6].

Furthermore, sex-specific considerations are essential to contextualize the neuromuscular performance. Women differ from men in several aspects such as their absolute strength and power, neuromuscular control, fatigue characteristics and injury risk profiles [11,12]. For example, research shows that women may exhibit similar or specific patterns of neuromuscular fatigue compared to men, with differences depending on the type of contraction, load and muscle groups tested [13]. Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle may influence strength, neuromuscular function and perceived exertion, although evidence remains heterogeneous and highly individualized [14,15]. The epidemiology of injuries also differs substantially, as female athletes have a higher prevalence of ligament injuries such as the anterior cruciate ligament [14,16], with non-contact mechanisms often associated with pivoting, landing and rapid CoD, movement patterns that are highly relevant to futsal [17]. These sex-specific factors reinforce that female athletes cannot be considered as reduced versions of male players and should be studied in their own physiological and biomechanical contexts.

Despite the significant growth in women’s futsal worldwide [18,19], much of the research in the broader futsal literature remains focused on male players and, therefore, evidence remains limited in several neuromuscular domains [7,19]. In particular, isokinetic strength profiles, lower limb power, acceleration in the initial phase of sprinting and performance in CoD have been examined in relatively few studies, often with small samples and heterogeneous testing protocols [6]. This scarcity limits the development of robust normative references, evidence-based training prescriptions, and injury prevention strategies in women’s futsal, reducing the applied impact of the available research [20].

Therefore, detailed and systematic knowledge of neuromuscular characteristics can be of great interest to coaches, physical trainers, and physiotherapists, as it allows them to identify talent [21], reduce the risk of injury [17], optimize performance [7], periodize training loads, and individualize interventions according to one’s position on the field or competitive level [22,23,24]. With this in mind, the present review sought to (1) summarize the available evidence describing the neuromuscular characteristics of female futsal players, (2) identify common performance trends and reported normative ranges and (3) examine potential differences between competitive levels. Importantly, we note that any conclusions regarding differences in competitive levels should be interpreted with caution, given the marked heterogeneity in study designs, measurement protocols and sample characteristics.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Design

This systematic review on the neuromuscular profile of female futsal players was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines [25] and was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), under the number CRD420251055503, in order to guarantee the transparency and methodological systematization of the process. All included studies explicitly reported ethical approval in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

2.2. Search Strategy

The databases used for this systematic review were PubMed, Scopus and SPORTDiscus, as they offer the most comprehensive coverage of research in sports science, human performance and applied physiology, ensuring that potentially all relevant studies on futsal players could be retrieved. The searches were carried out between April and May 2025, with no restrictions regarding the year of publication. The search strategy combined keywords or equivalent terms from the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) related to women’s futsal and neuromuscular variables, using Boolean operators to maximize the search effectiveness. The complete database-specific search strings are provided in Supplementary File S1.

2.3. Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria were defined based on the PECOS strategy [26], as described in Table 1. The inclusion of adolescent and adult players is justified by the limited availability of studies on women’s futsal, which often combine age groups due to small sample sizes. Original peer-reviewed studies were included, published in English, Portuguese or Spanish, involving female futsal players (adolescents or adults) and presenting variables related to neuromuscular characteristics. Studies were excluded if: (i) the participants’ sex was not identified; (ii) they included men or results grouped with male athletes; (iii) they presented results mixed with other sports or without specific data on female futsal players; or (iv) they were literature reviews, commentaries, editorials, conference papers or abstracts from scientific events.

2.4. Study Selection

Two authors (CM and MR) carried out the literature search and independently analyzed the titles and abstracts based on the previously defined eligibility criteria. All identified studies were initially exported to EndNote 20.3 (Clarivate Analytics, Philadelphia, PA, USA) to remove duplicates. Subsequently, they were imported into Rayyan (https://www.rayyan.ai/, accessed on 15 May 2025), a free online systematic review management platform [27]. Rayyan was used to screen the studies by title and abstract, allowing the PECOS strategy to be applied. This tool has already been used in other systematic reviews and is widely recommended for its efficiency and reliability in the screening process by multiple reviewers [28,29]. In addition to database screening, the reference lists of all included articles were manually searched to identify any potential additional relevant studies. All records were screened independently by two reviewers. Any inconsistencies in the study selection or data extraction were discussed and resolved by consensus. Whenever necessary, a third reviewer was involved to arbitrate disagreements.

2.5. Data Extraction

Two reviewers (CM and MR) independently extracted the data from the included studies using a standardized pre-prepared table in Microsoft Excel. The following information was collected: the study information (authors and the year of publication), sample characteristics (the number of participants, age, height, body mass and competitive level), the neuromuscular variables analyzed (muscle strength, jumping performance, speed, agility and CoD), evaluation protocols and main results (mean, standard deviation and measurement units).

Competitive levels were standardized as follows: elite (top national league), sub-elite (second or third national divisions), university, regional/amateur and unspecified. These definitions were applied consistently across all included studies to improve the comparability.

As one of the aims of this review was to describe the neuromuscular profile of female futsal players, in the studies in which interventions were applied (e.g., training programs or interventions), only the baseline values were recorded in order to ensure comparability between studies.

2.6. Methodological Quality Assessment

The methodological quality of the included studies was independently assessed by two reviewers (CM and MR). Following previous systematic reviews that applied adapted versions of the Downs and Black checklist to non-interventional study designs [29,30,31,32,33], we selected 12 items from the original scale because they correspond to methodological domains appropriate for the predominantly cross-sectional and observational studies included in this review. Specifically, the selected items evaluate the clarity of reporting (items 1, 2, 3 and 4), external validity (items 6 and 7), internal validity related to measurement bias (items 10, 11 and 12) and confounding or selection bias (items 16, 18 and 20). Items pertaining to randomization, intervention integrity or blinding were excluded as they are not applicable to the study designs analyzed.

Before independently scoring the studies, the reviewers conducted a short calibration process to ensure the consistent interpretation of the criteria. Each item was rated as “0” when information was absent or unclear and “1” when explicitly reported. The maximum achievable score was 12, with studies categorized as a high (10–12), moderate (7–9), low (4–6) or very low (0–3) methodological quality. Discrepancies between reviewers were resolved through discussion and a third reviewer was available for arbitration when necessary. No study was excluded based on the methodological quality.

2.7. Statistical Analysis

A meta-analysis was not performed because of the heterogeneity of the study designs, measurement protocols and variables which prevented statistical pooling. However, since only baseline data were extracted, comparability across studies was improved, allowing for a structured descriptive and narrative synthesis of the findings. All results are presented as the mean ± standard deviation (SD) and grouped by variable and competitive level when possible.

3. Results

3.1. Study Selection and Study Characteristics

Figure 1 shows the PRISMA flowchart of the process of identification, screening, eligibility and inclusion of studies. The completed PRISMA check-list is provided in the Supplementary Files S2 and S3. The literature search in the databases initially resulted in 176 studies. After removing 49 duplicates, 127 studies were analyzed by title and abstract, of which 47 articles were considered potentially eligible. After reading the full text, 24 articles were excluded because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Thus, 23 studies published between 2010 and 2025 were included in this systematic review, involving a total sample of 433 female futsal players.

The detailed characterization of the samples is shown in Table 2. In all the studies, the age of the players was between 12 and 26, their height was between 154 and 167 cm and their body mass was between 49 and 65 kg. With regard to their competitive level, 11 studies analyzed elite players, 4 studies sub-elite players, 3 studies university players, 1 study regional (amateur) players and 5 studies made no reference to the competitive level of the players (unspecified).

3.2. Methodological Quality

The scores and categorization of the studies based on the assessment of the methodological quality are shown in Table 3, ranging from 4 to 12 (low to high, respectively) of the 12 items analyzed.

3.3. Neuromuscular Characteristics

Regarding the neuromuscular variables analyzed, 5 studies evaluated muscle strength, 15 studies lower limbs power (jump ability), 16 studies sprint performance and 13 studies investigated agility and CoD. At the same time, some studies assessed more than one neuromuscular variable and were, therefore, considered in multiple subcategories of analysis. Across all neuromuscular variables, cross-study comparisons are limited by substantial methodological heterogeneity, including differences in the testing protocols, measurement units, equipment, familiarization procedures and timing systems. Due to this variability, all interpretations of performance differences should be considered with caution and any observed patterns must be viewed as descriptive rather than definitive.

3.3.1. Strength Capability

Muscle strength was analyzed in five studies [7,37,44,51,53], mainly through the isokinetic muscle testing of the knee extensors and flexors (Table 4). In Teixeira et al. [37], isokinetic strength was assessed in the knee extensors of the dominant leg (“kicking leg”) during concentric and eccentric actions at 60°/s. Across the studies, the absolute peak torque values for knee extensors and flexors generally fell within similar ranges and did not consistently differ between competitive levels, a pattern also observed by Ramos-Campo et al. [7]. The interpretation of the differences across the studies is further limited by the substantial methodological heterogeneity in the testing protocols, including variations in the angular velocity (60°/s vs. 180°/s), testing procedures, warm-up and familiarization routines and differences in the measurement indicators (absolute torque vs. relative torque). The ratios between the hamstring and quadriceps (H/Q) have been reported in some studies and typically range between ~0.5 and 0.6 [7], suggesting an optimal muscle balance [24].

Regarding functional strength assessments, only one study reported 1RM squat values [44] and another assessed isometric back and leg strength using a portable dynamometer [53]. Due to the limited number of studies that have utilized multi-joint or task-specific strength tests that reflect the integrated movement patterns of futsal, the applicability of current findings to the actual demands of matches remains limited.

It is important to note that Ahmadi et al. [51] reported strength results as relative values of maximum torque (%), normalized for body mass, rather than absolute torque (Nm). Similarly, Atakan et al. [53] reported isometric back and leg strength in kilograms, reflecting the output of the specific dynamometer used. Purnamasari et al. [44] also reported the results in kilograms. As these metrics differ conceptually from absolute isokinetic torque, they are not directly comparable to the values in Nm reported in other studies and should, therefore, be interpreted independently.

3.3.2. Jumping Ability

The jump performance was assessed in fifteen studies using a variety of protocols, with CMJ being the most frequently used measure (Table 5). Overall, CMJ values showed moderate variability across studies, but it was still possible to identify general performance patterns at all competitive levels. Elite players typically had higher CMJ heights, with most values clustered between 26.7 and 35.6 cm, while sub-elite (23.9 to 25.7 cm) and university (25.6 to 26.7 cm) players tended to score slightly lower. However, this trend was not entirely consistent, as some studies reported overlapping ranges between levels. For example, although Souglis et al. [40] reported one of the highest CMJ values (35.6 ± 2.9 cm), Ramos-Campo et al. [7] found no statistically significant differences between elite and sub-elite players.

These inconsistencies are likely influenced by heterogeneity in testing procedures, including variations in the jump technique (with or without arm swing), the equipment used for the measurement, warm-up protocols, the number of attempts and familiarity with the test. Such methodological variability limits the comparability of absolute values and may partly explain the lack of clear differences between competitive levels.

Other protocols were used, such as the squat jump (SJ), drop vertical jump (DVJ), horizontal jump (HJ), vertical jump (VJ), Abalakov jump (ABK) and broad jump (BJ), but these were included less frequently. As a result, while they provide additional insight into lower-limb power characteristics, their limited use prevents a meaningful cross-study comparison or synthesis. When examined collectively, these tests reinforce the notion that the jump performance contributes to neuromuscular profiling, yet the current evidence does not consistently demonstrate differences between competitive levels, largely due to methodological variability and heterogeneous testing procedures.

3.3.3. Sprint Performance

The sprint performance was assessed in sixteen studies using a range of linear sprint distances and field-based speed protocols [5,7,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,43,44,47,48,49,53,54] (Table 6). Although sprint times varied considerably across studies, some general performance patterns can be identified. In most investigations, elite players tended to achieve slightly faster sprint times than their sub-elite or university counterparts, particularly over short distances (5–20 m), which reflects the high frequency of accelerations characteristic of futsal match play. However, these trends were not consistent across all studies, and Ramos-Campo et al. [7] reported no significant differences between elite and sub-elite groups.

A major factor-limiting cross-study comparability was the substantial methodological heterogeneity in the sprint testing procedures. Studies differed in their sprint distance (5 to 40 m), starting procedures (static vs. flying start), timing systems (manual timing, photocells or radar), surface type and warm-up standardization. In addition, some studies reported sprint outcomes as velocity (m/s) or endurance-related speed metrics (km/h) rather than time (s). This variation in units further complicates a direct comparison between studies and likely contributes to the lack of consistent differences at the competitive level.

3.3.4. Change of Direction Ability and Agility

CoD ability and agility were examined in thirteen studies [5,7,36,39,41,42,43,45,47,49,52,53,54] using a variety of field-based tests, including the Illinois Agility Test (IAT), 505 and Modified 505 tests, t-test variations, L-Run, V-Cut and reactive agility protocols (Table 7). Despite the diversity of the methods, the CoD performance was the neuromuscular dimension that most consistently differentiated players across competitive levels.

Several studies reported a slightly superior CoD performance in elite players compared with sub-elite or amateur counterparts. For example, Ramos-Campo et al. [7] observed faster agility test completion times in elite players relative to sub-elite players (elite: 5.5 s; sub-elite: 5.7 s), suggesting that agility-related capacities may partially distinguish higher-level athletes. However, these differences were not universal and some studies reported overlapping performance ranges across competitive groups.

Similar to other neuromuscular variables, the methodological heterogeneity limits the interpretation of the CoD and agility results. For example, differences in the inclusion of planned CoD tests (e.g., IAT, 505) and reactive agility assessments, device accuracy (e.g., photocells versus manual timing) and test surfaces. This variability reduces the direct comparability between studies and may obscure the magnitude of true performance differences.

Overall, CoD and agility show the most consistent evidence of potential differences between competitive levels in women’s futsal; however, these patterns should be interpreted with caution, as the evidence does not consistently demonstrate clear discrimination due to heterogeneous protocols and limited sample sizes.

4. Discussion

The main objective of this systematic review was to characterize the neuromuscular profile of female futsal players and to identify potential differences between competitive levels. The synthesis of the available evidence allowed us to describe performance patterns across several neuromuscular domains while highlighting important methodological limitations and gaps in the literature.

While some performance comparisons with female football players provide useful reference points, particularly given the limited literature available on women’s futsal, direct equivalence should not be assumed. Futsal imposes distinct neuromuscular demands due to its smaller playing space, higher acceleration density and substantially greater frequency of rapid CoD actions. These characteristics create a performance profile that differs meaningfully from football, even though certain benchmarks from female football may still help contextualize findings in areas where futsal-specific evidence remains scarce.

According to the studies included, muscle strength in futsal players has been predominantly assessed using isokinetic dynamometry, with maximum concentric torque values of the knee extensors ranging from 131 to 149 Nm in elite players [7,37]. When compared to athletes from other intermittent team sports, such as women’s football, similar magnitudes are reported [55,56,57], suggesting that the neuromuscular strength profile of futsal players falls within the expected range for multidirectional sports. However, the only available multi-joint strength measure (squat 1RM) indicated slightly lower relative strength values compared with female football players [58]. Furthermore, current evidence does not consistently demonstrate strength differences between competitive levels [7], likely due to small samples, heterogeneous protocols and the limited ecological relevance of isolated isokinetic measures. Future research should implement standardized and functional strength assessments to establish normative ranges in women’s futsal.

The jump performance, assessed mainly through the CMJ, showed values between ~26 and 36 cm [7,37,40,41,42,43,48,49,50,52], slightly below those recorded for elite football players [59], but similar to ranges found in semi-professional football players [58,60]. Nevertheless, the methodological inconsistency across jump protocols, equipment and test conditions restricts the comparability across studies and may explain the lack of consistent differences between competitive levels, a pattern also observed in women’s football [61].

The sprint capacity in female futsal players (1.60–2.06 s in the 10 m; 2.98–5.33 s in the 20 m; 4.16–5.77 s in the 30 m) [7,36,47,53] is generally similar to values reported in female football players [57,58,62,63]. Although this similarity is expected, given the intermittent and explosive nature of both sports, no consistent differences were observed between competitive levels in futsal, contrasting with other studies [63]. This may relate to the highly technical and tactical nature of futsal, where the acceleration ability, decision making under pressure and ball control may be more decisive than the maximal sprint speed. Importantly, the substantial methodological heterogeneity (sprint distances, timing systems and unit formats) further limits cross-study comparisons.

CoD and agility were the neuromuscular variables that most consistently suggested potential differences between competitive levels. Elite players tended to complete CoD tasks faster than sub-elite players [7] and also performed better than football players in similar tests [64]. However, it is important to note that assessing agility in futsal requires a clear distinction between planned CoD, which reflects mechanical efficiency and stopping-propulsion ability, measured by tests such as the IAT or the 505, and reactive agility, which involves responding to unpredictable external stimuli and requires perceptual–cognitive processing [5,9]. Evidence from female players further reinforces the distinction between these two concepts [6,18,19]. Benvenuti et al. [5] reported that futsal players were significantly faster than football players in reactive agility and exhibited shorter decision times, probably reflecting the greater spatial constraints of the sport, the faster pace of the game and the greater information load. Interestingly, no differences were found between the sports in planned agility tests, suggesting that only reactive agility tasks capture the specific perceptual–motor demands of futsal, while planned CoD mainly assesses the physical qualities of the players. Most studies included in this review assessed only planned CoD, which limits the interpretation of agility in a manner representative of real match demands. Future research should incorporate ecologically valid, stimulus-based protocols to better characterize this capacity and its relevance to competitive success [9].

In summary, the neuromuscular profile of female futsal players seems to be broadly aligned with that of athletes from other intermittent, high-intensity team sports. However, evidence suggests that the CoD capacity, and particularly its reactive component, may represent a more specific and potentially discriminatory characteristic in women’s futsal. This has direct implications for talent identification, individualized training prescription, injury prevention strategies and performance monitoring. However, the small number of studies available, combined with significant methodological heterogeneity, prevents definitive conclusions. Future research should employ standardized and ecologically valid test batteries, differentiate between planned and reactive agility tasks and explore the specific neuromuscular demands of each position.

5. Limitations

Despite the methodological rigor adopted throughout this systematic review, some aspects should be recognized as limitations and taken into account when interpreting the results.

Primarily, the general lack of studies on the neuromuscular profile of female futsal players limited the general and more detailed analysis, especially regarding comparisons between competitive levels. Most of the studies included evaluated only small samples and often made no distinction between competitive levels. This, however, highlights the need of more research in this area. Another limitation relates to the lack of studies analyzing neuromuscular characteristics according to playing positions. Although positional demands differ in futsal, only a very small number of studies have examined performance variations between goalkeepers, defenders, wingers or pivots. This gap limits the ability to establish positional neuromuscular profiles in women’s futsal.

In addition, the heterogeneity between the protocols used in the physical tests made it difficult to make direct comparisons between studies. Highly different methodologies were identified for assessing the muscle strength, jumping ability, sprinting, agility and CoD, which made it impossible to carry out a meta-analysis. In addition, not all studies provided exact values (e.g., standard deviations and consistent units), sometimes compromising the interpretation of the results.

6. Conclusions

This systematic review synthesized the available evidence on the neuromuscular profile of female futsal players. Overall, the findings suggest that their neuromuscular characteristics are broadly comparable to those reported in other intermittent, high-intensity team sports. Among the variables analyzed, the CoD ability showed the most consistent indications of potential differences between competitive levels; however, these trends should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited number of studies, small sample sizes and the substantial methodological heterogeneity observed. In contrast, the muscle strength, jumping performance and sprint capacity did not demonstrate consistent or robust differences across competitive levels.

From a practical point of view, this review provides a structured overview of the current evidence on the neuromuscular profile of female futsal players and its findings may support coaches, performance staff and health professionals in planning neuromuscular training programs that emphasize strength, power, sprint ability and agility, skills that seem essential in futsal. The synthesized data may also assist in talent identification, load management and the development of targeted performance and injury prevention strategies aligned with the sport’s specific demands.

Finally, this review reinforces the relevance of the continued investigation of the neuromuscular capacities of female futsal players, particularly through studies with more rigorous methodological designs, larger and more representative samples and ecologically valid testing procedures. This will provide a solid and specific evidence base that can contribute both to the sustainable growth of this sport at all levels and to greater equity in the production and application of practical knowledge between sexes.