Injury prevention in futsal players: is the FIFA 11+ a simple answer to a complex problem?

Abstract

Background: Futsal is considered to be the world’s fastest growing indoor sport. Being a multiple-sprints sport, with a high intensity level of play, the players are submitted to high risk of injury. The fast growth in the rates of futsal participation is increasing the awareness and concern regarding the public health significance of futsal injuries.Objectives: This narrative review aims to provide an overview of the specificities of futsal, injury incidence in futsal, and current evidence regarding the effects of injury prevention programs, focusing on the FIFA 11+, in futsal and football.Major Findings: Futsal involves a considerable number of high-intensity phases in terms of proportion of match time, which may help to justify a high rate of injuries in futsal. The most prevalent time-loss injuries in futsal are the ankle sprain, groin and thigh strains. Injury prevention programs have led to significant reduction in injuries amongst football players. The majority of studies performed so far in football players to analyze the risk of injuries with the FIFA11+ showed significant risk reductions; there is a clear need for studies in futsal players, as only one study was identified showing a reduction of overall, acute and lower limb injuries during the season. Four studies assessed the impact of the FIFA11+ on physical performance in futsal players, showing positive results in knee muscle strength.Conclusions: Considering that the main injury in futsal is the ankle sprain, the injury risk reduction observed in football and futsal players after the FIFA 11+, and the positive effects of the program in some physical parameters (e.g. muscle strength) in futsal players, it seems reasonable to suggest the use of the FIFA 11+ to reduce injury risk in futsal players.