Talent Identification and Development in Male Futsal: A Systematic Review

Research on women's futsal: a scoping review

The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive scoping literature review to provide an overview of the current state of research within women's futsal. We searched four electronic databases (SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) up to December 2023. Inclusion criteria comprised original research published in peer-reviewed journals, available in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. The focus was on studies investigating women in futsal, encompassing both players and those in leadership positions, regardless of their age or skill level. The analysis included the authorship (location), population characteristics (number of participants, level of play, and age), themes explored, and primary findings. A total of 692 records were found, but only 175 met the selection criteria. The results highlighted a recent attention in the scientific literature, with the first publications emerging in 2005 and a notable increase since 2016. Strength and Conditioning topics constituted the most frequently explored area, comprising 32% of the studies. Notably, no studies focusing on coaching or management aspects were identified. In terms of the participant population, most studies concentrated on high-level (33%) and senior (84%) players. Few studies have investigated practitioners with disabilities or women in other positions such as coaches or managers. Most of the studies were conducted by Brazilian researchers (60%), indicating the need for investigations in different socio-cultural contexts. The recent academic attention and the upcoming inaugural edition of the FIFA Futsal Women's World CupTM in 2025 reinforce the need for further studies on women's futsal. This review contributes by identifying the scientific gaps that can be explored by future investigations.

Game changer-talent transfer pathways in sport: a systematic review

Research question

Talent transfer, an accelerated sport pathway to expertise, holds considerable appeal for sports organisations. As an emerging area of academic research across a range of sport disciplines, there is opportunity for to advance knowledge and practice. This review aimed to (a) explore how talent transfer has been defined, to develop a synthesised definition; (b) systematically identify the factors that influence talent transfer; and (c) investigate how theory underpins and enhances understanding of talent transfer.

Research methods

A systematic review was conducted of 12 peer-reviewed journal articles on talent transfer using the PRISMA approach.

Results and findings

Aiming for a comprehensive, multidisciplinary perspective, the results: introduce a clear, synthesised conceptualisation of talent transfer as an accelerated sport pathway in which a highly trained athlete in one sport (donor sport), transitions to a new sport (recipient sport) with the potential of achieving high-performance success; systematically map influencing factors; and outline considered theories. Factors influencing talent transfer span individual, task-related, and environmental constraints. The review exposes a scarcity of theoretical foundation in current research, suggesting ecological dynamics as a promising approach to advance research and practice.

Implications

Practical and theoretical implications arise, emphasising the usefulness of a synthesised definition and a multifactorial approach for designing, implementing, evaluating, and researching talent transfer pathways. This benefits sports administrators, managers, and researchers.

The relationships between body mass index, reciprocal ponderal index, waist-to-height ratio, and fitness in young adult males

Background

Anthropometric measures such as the body mass index (BMI), reciprocal ponderal index (RPI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHR) have been proposed as predictors of physical fitness. This study aimed to identify the differences in explanatory capacity and fit of BMI, RPI, and WHR on physical fitness, which involves jumping, sprinting, change of direction, and aerobic capacity, by adjusting the polynomial regression.

Methods

A sample of 297 healthy, recreationally active male university students between 18 and 20 years old was recruited for this study. Anthropometric measurements (height: 174.09 ± 6.27 cm, weight: 78.98 ± 20.27 kg, waist circumference: 93.74 ± 14.56 cm) were taken for each participant. Jumping tests (squat jump, countermovement jump), sprinting tests (20 m sprint), agility tests (agility T-test), and aerobic/endurance tests (6 min walk test, VAM-EVAL test) were performed. Nonlinear quadratic regression models were used to assess the relationship between the jump, sprint, and fitness test scores and the anthropometric indices. The models were compared based on R-squares and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). The significance level was set at p < 0.05.

Results

The results showed that all the indices predicted a portion of the variance because all variables and index relationships were significant. Regarding the fitted models, the Bayesian Information Criterion showed that BMI was the best indicator of performance, although the RPI was better for VO2max.

Conclusion

These findings may be of great interest to practitioners because it appears that anthropometric measures can be used to predict physical fitness in certain tests although the accuracy raises any concerns.