Position-specific movement characteristics and heart rate profile of hearing-impaired futsal players: A simulated game analysis

The objective of this research is to compare the movement characteristics and heart rate (HR) patterns of hearing-impaired futsal players based on their playing positions during a simulated game. The study involved twelve players from the Turkish Deaf Men's Futsal National Team, and PlayerLoad (PL) metrics such as total PL (PLtotal), PL per minute (PL·min⁻¹), peak PL (PLpeak), PL bands (PLband1 to PLband4), and external load variables such as acceleration (ACC), deceleration (DEC), explosive efforts (EXPEFF), and right/left change of direction (COD-R, COD-L), were analyzed using inertial movement analysis (IMA). Additionally, the internal load metrics, including minimum, average, and maximum HR (HRmin, HRave, HRmax), percentage of HR (HR%) and percentage of time spent in different HR zones (HRzone1 to HRzone4) were continuously monitored. IMA variables and HR metrics, based on playing position, were analysed with the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Group comparisons were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test, and a Bonferroni correction was applied. As a result, PL variables show varying patterns with notable distinctions between defenders and wingers. Additionally, the PLBAND4 stands out as the only significant difference when comparing wingers and strikers. Wingers generally exhibit different external load patterns, including ACC and COD-L, compared to defenders. Additionally, differences were observed in COD-L between strikers and defenders, as well as in COD-R between strikers and wingers. In conclusion, external and internal load metrics during the simulated game vary depending on the players’ positions in hearing-impaired futsal players, highlighting the importance for coaches to consider this diversity in their athlete monitoring approaches.