Fitness and Performance Testing of Male and Female Beach Soccer Players-A Preliminary Investigation.

This study aimed to compare performance on sand and a firm surface and to describe the physical capacity of male and female beach soccer players. Sixty-six male and 29 female competitive beach soccer players voluntarily participated in this study. Firstly, within-subjects test scores were compared to scores on a firm surface (criterion validity; = 15 men) and reconducted on a second occasion (reliability; = 51 men). Secondly, the best score on sand was retained to compare test performance between ages (classified as below 20, 20-30, and above 30 years) and sexes. Performance assessments included sprint time over 5 and 15 m (once on a firm surface and twice on sand), standing long jump (SLJ, once on a firm surface and twice on sand) and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1, once on a firm surface and once on sand; only data for men were available). Five-m sprint and Yo-Yo IR1 performance on sand were not correlated to performance on a firm surface ( > 0.05). Test-retest reliability was acceptable for the 15-m sprint and SLJ tests (ICC > 0.90; CV < 5%). Performance in 15-m sprint and maximal sprinting speed were moderately lower in male players aged above 30 years. compared to players aged below 30 years ( = 0.35-0.42; < 0.05). Irrespective of the age group, weight-bearing power-based performance mass was moderately to very largely higher in male players than in female players ( = 0.42-0.88; < 0.05). The lack of a consistent relationship between performance on sand and on a firm surface might indicate the need to develop specific test batteries for sand-based athletes. Age-related differences in physical performance were evident only in sprint capacity. Further studies are warranted to elucidate our preliminary findings and to develop the sand specific tests.