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.
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.