Muscle lesions and inflammation in futsal players according to their tactical positions.

A futsal player's performance depends on his technical and tactical skills but may be improved by a less harmful inflammatory profile that is better adjusted to his tactical position in the game. Thus, the purpose of this study was to characterize muscle lesion and inflammation in futsal players according to their positions in an official match. The participants in this study were 5 goalkeepers (23 ± 1.2 years old, body mass = 74 ± 2.5 kg, height = 178 ± 3.2 cm, body fat = 13 ± 2%, VO2max = 40 ± 2 ml·kg(-1)), 8 defenders (21 ± 1 years, body mass = 69 ± 2 kg, height = 174 ± 1 cm, body fat = 10 ± 2%, VO2max 42 ± 1 ml·kg(-1)), 8 wingers (22 ± 1 years, body mass = 68 ± 2 kg, height = 169 ± 3 cm, body fat = 11 ± 2%, VO2max = 48 ± 1 ml·kg(-1)), and 8 pivots (25 ± 2 years, body mass 71 ± 2 kg, height 173 ± 2 cm, body fat 10 ± 2%, VO2max 46 ± 2 ml·kg(-1)). Blood samples were collected from the participants before and immediately after a match. Muscle damage was detected based on CK and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. The inflammatory status was evaluated by determining C-reactive protein and cytokines (TNF-α, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-1ra). Goalkeepers showed higher LDH and IL-6 than players occupying other tactical positions, leading to the conclusion that the tactical position of futsal goalkeeper causes more inflammation and muscle damage than other positions. Moreover, this position is usually occupied by athletes with higher body mass and percentage of body fat and lower VO2max than players in the other positions.