PHYSIOLOGICAL RECOVERY IN FUTSAL: STRATEGIES FOR SPORTS PERFORMANCE AND INJURY PREVENTION

Abstract

Physiological recovery comprises the processes through which the body restores its functional
balance after intense exertion, including the replenishment of energy substrates, tissue
regeneration and the reduction of fatigue markers. In futsal, a sport characterized by high
intensity intermittent efforts, abrupt changes of direction and a predominance of lower-limb
injuries, this process is particularly relevant to sustaining performance and protecting athletes'
physical integrity. This article aims to analyze the importance of physiological recovery in
futsal, with emphasis on strategies that contribute to performance optimization and to the
reduction of musculoskeletal injury risk. It is a literature review conducted in the PubMed,
SciELO and BVS databases, whose final corpus comprised six studies, discussed in light of the
theoretical literature. The studies analyzed indicate that cryotherapy, particularly cold water
immersion, massage, electrical stimulation, active recovery, nutritional and fluid
replenishment, and training load monitoring may support regeneration and attenuate fatigue,
although no single method proved universally superior to the others. It is concluded that
physiological recovery should be systematically and individually integrated into futsal training
planning, bearing in mind that the scarcity of futsal-specific studies limits the generalization of
the findings and reinforces the need for empirical research.