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Article

Flywheel Resistance Training in Female Futsal Players: Muscle Power Asymmetries and Injury Risk Implications

by
Daniele Pereira da Silva Araújo
,
Pablo Augusto Garcia Agostinho
,
Suene Franciele Nunes Chaves
,
Rafael de Freitas Ferreira
,
Juliana Souza Valente
,
Claudia Eliza Patrocínio de Oliveira
and
Osvaldo Costa Moreira
*
Graduate Program in Physical Education, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa CEP 36570-000, MG, Brazil
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Physiologia 2025, 5(3), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia5030026
Submission received: 1 July 2025 / Revised: 8 August 2025 / Accepted: 21 August 2025 / Published: 25 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exercise Physiology and Biochemistry: 2nd Edition)
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Abstract

Introduction: Women’s futsal demands strength, agility, speed, and endurance, involving sprints, dribbling, and rapid directional changes. In this context, the hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) strength ratio and bilateral muscle asymmetries are recognized as risk factors for lower limb injuries and may also impact athletic performance. Objective: This study aimed to analyze power output in two inertial flywheel resistance exercises and identify muscle imbalances in the lower limbs of female university futsal players. Methods: Twelve athletes (22.9 ± 2.3 years; 163 ± 6.8 cm; 60.9 ± 9.9 kg; 22.8 ± 3.1 kg/m2; ≥9 years of experience) participated in the study. They performed 2 sets of 8 unilateral knee flexion and extension repetitions per limb, following a warm-up of 20 bodyweight squats. Power output was assessed using a multi-joint isoinertial device (Physical Solutions, SP, Brazil). Data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, with significance set at α = 0.05. Results: Eccentric power was significantly higher in both exercises and limbs (EJPD = 0.003; EJPE = 0.006; FJPD < 0.001; FJPE < 0.001). An imbalance in the H/Q ratio was observed: concentric right = 50.38% ± 14.67; left = 42.46% ± 9.24; eccentric right = 56.71% ± 15.56; left = 58.38% ± 21.06. The right limb showed a greater concentric imbalance (p = 0.016). Conclusions: Eccentric power was higher in both exercises without inter-limb differences. An H/Q imbalance was detected, with greater asymmetry in the right leg for concentric power. Coaches are encouraged to prioritize eccentric training to address these imbalances.

1. Introduction

Football is a team sport characterized by high-intensity, short-duration actions such as jumps, ball challenges, sprints, kicks, abrupt stops, and changes in direction. These actions not only require unilateral movements but also place significant physiological demands on athletes [1,2]. Similar to football, futsal also involves physical and technical components marked by high-intensity intermittent patterns, i.e., alternating periods of intense activity and passive recovery [3]. In this context, many of the specific skills required to perform sport-related tasks are closely related to fundamental lower limb movements, such as running, changing direction, jumping, and kicking. These movements are often executed either partially or predominantly in a unilateral manner [4].
Futsal is a dynamic and high-intensity sport in which constant movement and exertion demand substantial power output [5]. Therefore, futsal athletes must develop a balance between fatigue resistance and the ability to perform technical actions with high precision in short time intervals [6]. This performance is further enhanced by achieving muscular balance between thigh agonist and antagonist groups, which contributes to both improved performance and athlete safety [5].
Hamstring injuries are known to be among the most common in this sport [7], and they typically occur during the terminal phase of a sprint, when the hamstrings are being stretched and preparing for foot–ground contact. In contrast, quadriceps injuries generally occur when the rectus femoris reaches its maximum length during the initial phase of a sprint [8,9]. It is evident, therefore, that both types of injuries predominantly occur during eccentric contractions of the involved muscle groups [8].
Futsal is considered a sport with a high injury rate, ranging from 5 to 10 injuries per 1000 h of play. In a study conducted in The Netherlands, futsal was ranked among the ten sports with the highest incidence of injuries, with a rate of 55.2 injuries per 10,000 h of play, with knee and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries being the most common [10,11].
Thus, improving lower limb strength can enhance the competitive performance of football and futsal athletes [12], as optimizing the ability to generate peak power over short periods is considered essential not only for improving athletic performance [13] but also for reducing injury risk [14]. This is supported by evidence suggesting a correlation between greater power output and the capacity to perform high-intensity actions [15].
Neuromuscular variables play a critical role in futsal performance, as athletes with greater lower limb strength and power generally demonstrate superior execution of movements commonly required during matches, such as changes of direction, sprints, accelerations, decelerations, and jumps [16,17]. However, the hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) ratio and bilateral muscular asymmetry are considered risk factors for lower limb injuries and may also negatively impact athletic performance [18].
Technological advancements have brought significant transformations to the sports world, impacting various areas, including training and rehabilitation. In this context, flywheel resistance training has gained popularity due to its benefits for sports performance, functional rehabilitation, and injury risk reduction, emerging as an innovative method with specific applications for different sports [19]. This training modality is characterized by the use of flywheel discs that spin and store energy during the concentric phase of the movement, depending on the achieved rotational velocity, inertial load, and the features of the device used. During the eccentric phase, as the cord rewinds around the shaft, the individual must resist the force generated by the rotating disc [20,21].
One of the main advantages of this method is the high eccentric overload provided during the exercises, which is often underloaded and difficult to achieve in traditional training methods [21]. This characteristic is crucial for promoting balanced muscular development between limbs, as well as between agonist and antagonist muscle groups [22]. In this regard, De Keijzer et al. [23] analyzed the effects of different inertial loads during unilateral leg curl and hip extension exercises using a flywheel device. The authors observed that, particularly under higher inertial moments, eccentric power exceeded concentric power during unilateral hip extension, favoring the relationship between movement phases and contributing to hamstring strengthening and the correction of muscular asymmetries.
Given this premise, examining the H/Q ratio is essential to identifying potential muscular imbalances in female university futsal athletes, as well as determining whether such imbalances occur during the eccentric and/or concentric phases of movement. This is particularly relevant because futsal-related injuries tend to occur primarily during eccentric contractions—an important feature of this sport, which involves a high frequency of eccentric muscle actions. Evaluating these aspects may offer valuable insights for coaches and strength and conditioning professionals regarding the importance and practical application of H/Q ratio assessments.
Moreover, although the existing literature has addressed these issues in male football and futsal athletes, there is a notable lack of studies focused on female athletes. While inertial flywheel training is well-documented in male football players [24], research involving female athletes remains scarce, especially in futsal, where eccentric actions are critical for preventing hamstring injuries [7]. Additionally, further studies are needed to investigate specific and effective interventions aimed at optimizing the hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio, especially in female populations and high-demand sports such as futsal, which is characterized by actions like rapid changes of direction and deceleration. Moreover, the predominance of quadriceps strength over the hamstrings has been identified as a relevant risk factor for the occurrence of injuries, such as ACL ruptures and hamstring strains [25,26].
In this context, the aim of this study is to analyze the power output generated during the execution of two inertial flywheel resistance exercises (unilateral knee extension and flexion) in female university futsal athletes and to identify the presence of lower limb muscular imbalances (quadriceps and hamstrings; right and left limbs). Our hypothesis is that athletes will present greater power in the eccentric phase of the movements; greater power production in the dominant limb, compared to the non-dominant; and muscular imbalance in the H/Q ratio.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Participants

Twelve female university futsal athletes participated in this study (age: 22.9 ± 2.3 years; height: 163 ± 6.8 cm; body mass: 60.9 ± 9.9 kg; body mass index: 22.8 ± 3.1 kg/m2), all of whom identified their right leg as the dominant limb. The athletes were members of a team from the Federal University of Viçosa and had a minimum of 9 years of experience in the sport. None of the participants had prior experience with flywheel training—a form of resistance training that uses inertial devices to provide resistance through momentum, enabling effective eccentric phase training [18]. However, they had two years of experience with traditional resistance training, with a frequency of twice a week.
During the study, the participants were in the preparatory phase of their competitive season. Their regular training schedule consisted of four sessions per week, each lasting approximately 70 min.
The inclusion criteria for participation in this study were as follows: prior medical clearance; a negative Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q); a minimum of two years of experience in the sport; absence of musculoskeletal injuries within the six months preceding the study; availability to attend all assessment sessions; and signed informed consent. Failure to meet any of these inclusion criteria was considered grounds for exclusion.
All participants were informed about the objectives of the study and voluntarily agreed to participate, with the option to withdraw from the study at any time during the intervention without penalty. A written informed consent form was signed by all volunteers prior to participation. All study procedures were conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and Resolution 466/12, which outlines the guidelines and regulations for research involving human subjects in Brazil. Additionally, the study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Viçosa—Brazil, under protocol number CAAE: 81740024.5.0000.5153; Approval number: 7.151.525.

2.2. Procedures

All data collection was conducted at the Human Morphophysiology Analysis Laboratory (HUMAN LAB) of the Federal University of Viçosa-MG, Viçosa campus, by a single experienced evaluator who had been previously trained in the study protocol.
To characterize the sample, a physical assessment was carried out during the first week of the study, in which data on body mass, height, and body fat percentage were collected, for bioimpedance analysis (OMRON HBF-514C, Yangzhou, China).
In the second week, participants underwent three familiarization sessions with the equipment used for the exercise protocols. During these sessions, the technique for both exercises was explained and supervised by a trained professional, with a 48-h rest period between sessions. The athletes performed three familiarization sessions with progressively increasing loads (0.025 → 0.050 kg/m2), under the supervision of a trained professional familiar with the study procedures. Each session consisted of two sets of eight repetitions per exercise, with a four-minute rest interval between sets. Although it is acknowledged that the menstrual cycle phase may influence strength outcomes [27,28], variables related to the menstrual cycle were not controlled for, as data collection occurred on a single day.
The unilateral knee extension movement was performed using a multi-leg flywheel device (Physical Solutions, São Paulo, Brazil), with the participant seated, torso upright, and stabilized against the backrest of the equipment. The hip was kept in a fixed position, flexed at approximately 90 degrees, to facilitate the isolation of the knee joint. The exercising limb was positioned with the thigh parallel to the floor and the knee properly aligned with the machine’s axis of rotation. The leg executed the extension movement against external resistance, with the ankle placed behind a padded roller, allowing for a smooth and controlled execution of the exercise. The contralateral limb remained slightly retracted and relaxed, outside the movement area, in order to avoid interference during the execution (Figure 1).
The unilateral knee flexion movement was carried out on the same multi-leg flywheel device, with the participant positioned prone on the equipment. The trunk and pelvis remained aligned and firmly supported on the padding, with the iliac crests in contact with the surface of the bench to prevent compensations in the lumbar region. The working knee began the movement in full or semi-extension and was properly aligned with the machine’s rotational axis. The leg performed the flexion against external resistance, with the ankle placed under the padded roller, positioned just above the calcaneus. The contralateral limb remained extended, supported, and relaxed on the bench, without interfering with the exercise execution (Figure 2).
A performance assessment was conducted using two different inertial loads (four repetitions per load, with a four-minute recovery interval between them) to determine the optimal power output. The inertial load that yielded the highest mean power (0.050 kg/m2) was selected for the exercise protocol. In the third week, power tests were performed using a multi-leg flywheel device (Physical Solutions, São Paulo, Brazil), equipped with a rotational encoder and software designed to measure concentric and eccentric power output during each repetition (Physical Lab, Physical Solutions, São Paulo, Brazil). The test was carried out in a single day, with all the athletes, and none of them had performed any type of physical exercise on the day of the test or in the 24 h preceding it.
To assess concentric and eccentric muscular power in each of the lower limbs, unilateral executions of knee flexion were performed using the same multi-leg flywheel device (Physical Solutions, São Paulo, Brazil). In each exercise, variables indicative of average muscular power (W) were measured for both the concentric and eccentric phases. Average power was calculated by determining the mean of the peak power values obtained across eight repetitions, using a rotational encoder and the PhysicalLab application (Physical Solutions, São Paulo, Brazil). The average values recorded in the two sets of the test were considered for analysis [29].
For the testing procedures, unilateral knee extension and flexion exercises were selected. Following a standardized warm-up consisting of 20 bodyweight squat repetitions, all athletes performed two sets of eight repetitions, with a four-minute rest interval between sets. All volunteers began the tests on the leg extension chair for knee extension and then performed knee flexion on the leg curl table. The limb to begin the test was chosen randomly. During exercise execution, participants were encouraged to perform the concentric phase as quickly as possible. To ensure proper technique, all movements were supervised by a professional trained in the prescription of resistance training using flywheel devices.
To prevent the order of execution from influencing the data collection results, a cross-over, counterbalanced design was adopted, whereby each group of three participants began the procedures with a different exercise and limb. This approach characterizes an experimental design known as a Latin square.

3. Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Data were examined through descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation). The Shapiro–Wilk test was used to assess the assumption of normality. Measurement reproducibility was evaluated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Comparisons of independent variables were performed using a paired Student’s t-test. Effect size was assessed using Cohen’s d, with the following thresholds: ≤0.3 for small effect, 0.3 to 0.5 for moderate effect, 0.5 to 0.8 for large effect, and >0.8 for very large effect. For all analyses, a significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted.

4. Results

Intra-subject reproducibility for each lower limb power variable demonstrated high values, as indicated by the results of the ICC tests: concentric power during knee extension on the right leg (ICC = 0.964; 95% CI = 0.874–0.990; p < 0.001); concentric power during knee extension on the left leg (ICC = 0.872; 95% CI = 0.555–0.963; p = 0.001); eccentric power during knee extension on the right leg (ICC = 0.936; 95% CI = 0.778–0.982; p < 0.001); eccentric power during knee extension on the left leg (ICC = 0.938; 95% CI = 0.785–0.982; p < 0.001); concentric power during knee flexion on the right leg (ICC = 0.893; 95% CI = 0.629–0.969; p < 0.001); concentric power during knee flexion on the left leg (ICC = 0.756; 95% CI = 0.151–0.930; p = 0.014); eccentric power during knee flexion on the right leg (ICC = 0.897; 95% CI = 0.643–0.970; p < 0.001); and eccentric power during knee flexion on the left leg (ICC = 0.875; 95% CI = 0.496–0.969; p = 0.002).
Table 1 presents the results of the comparison between concentric and eccentric lower limb power in female collegiate futsal athletes. Overall, it was observed that the participants demonstrated higher eccentric power values for both exercises analyzed, in both limbs.
Table 2 presents the results of the comparison between the right and left limbs regarding lower limb power in female university futsal athletes. It is noteworthy that the assessed participants did not show significant differences between limbs in terms of concentric and eccentric muscular power in either of the exercises evaluated.
Table 3 displays the results of the comparison of the hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) strength ratio between the right and left limbs for lower limb power values in female university futsal athletes. The findings indicate that the evaluated participants exhibited imbalances in the H/Q strength ratio values in both limbs, for both concentric and eccentric power. Moreover, the right limb showed a greater imbalance in the H/Q ratio compared to the left limb in terms of concentric power.

5. Discussion

The aim of this study was to analyze the power output during the performance of two resistance exercises using flywheel devices (unilateral knee extension and flexion) in female university futsal athletes, and to identify potential muscular imbalances in the lower limbs (quadriceps and hamstrings; right and left).
Although previous studies have investigated the eccentric overload generated by flywheel devices [19,30], this is the first study to statistically analyze the eccentric overload produced by a flywheel and the differences in power output during both phases of the movement (unilateral knee extension and flexion). Additionally, this study sought to compare right and left limb performance in female university futsal athletes.
The main findings of the study were as follows: (1) Higher eccentric power values were observed for both exercises analyzed (unilateral knee extension and flexion) in both limbs. (2) The assessed participants did not present significant differences between limbs for concentric or eccentric muscular power in either exercise. (3) The participants exhibited imbalances in the hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) strength ratio values in both limbs, with the right limb showing a greater imbalance in the H/Q ratio for concentric power compared to the left limb.
The results of the present study regarding the comparison between the concentric and eccentric powers of the lower limbs in university futsal athletes indicate that, in general, the participants presented higher eccentric power values in both exercises evaluated, regardless of the limb analyzed.
Skeletal muscle has a greater capacity to generate force during eccentric contractions compared to concentric or isometric phases of movement [31]. Although eccentric actions require lower metabolic demand than concentric actions, they have proven beneficial for inducing adaptations and promoting significant gains in muscle strength and mass [30,32]. Moreover, eccentric muscle actions are associated with reduced motor unit activation, attenuated cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic responses, and lower metabolic consumption for a given force output [33].
Additionally, Pakosz et al. [34] found that eccentric training elicited greater responses in muscle contractile properties in young athletes when compared to concentric training. Furthermore, high-intensity eccentric exercises have demonstrated potential to enhance strength, stimulate neural activation, and promote hypertrophy [35]. In this context, eccentric training has garnered considerable interest among athletes and coaching staff in sports where strength and power are predominant [34].
The findings of Martínez-Aranda and Fernández-Gonzalo [36] indicate that eccentric overload can be generated at all times—when assessed across six different inertia levels—during flywheel knee extension exercise, with 17% to 25% greater peak force production during the eccentric phase compared to the concentric phase. Due to the muscle’s greater capacity to generate force during eccentric actions [37], it appears that the eccentric overload produced is capable of providing an adequate stimulus to enhance neural drive and muscle utilization [38].
In futsal, because of the high intensity and short-duration nature of actions, reflected in the substantial unilateral force demands, the force produced during eccentric muscle actions is significantly greater than that produced during concentric actions, particularly at higher movement speeds [39]. During a kicking motion, for example, the agonist muscles (quadriceps) perform a concentric action, while the antagonist muscles (hamstrings) undergo an eccentric action, contributing to deceleration and the maintenance of dynamic joint stability [18]. Furthermore, reduced eccentric hamstring strength may compromise the terminal swing phase of sprinting—when insufficient force is available to decelerate the extending free leg. This deficit may lead to injuries such as hamstring strains [40], making the hamstrings one of the muscle groups most frequently affected by injury in this sport [41].
The results of our study regarding the comparison between the right and left limbs reveal that the university futsal athletes evaluated did not present significant differences in muscular power, either concentric or eccentric, in the two exercises analyzed.
Daneshjoo et al. [42] investigated bilateral and unilateral strength and flexibility asymmetries in young male professional soccer players and found no significant differences. Similarly, the findings of Sliwowski et al. [43] also reported no significant asymmetries between limbs in elite senior and junior soccer players. Likewise, Raya-González et al. [29], using flywheel exercises in youth soccer players (U-17), found that the power output of the non-dominant leg was not significantly higher than that of the dominant leg. Thus, the literature supports the findings of the present study, suggesting that there appear to be no significant differences between limbs (right and left, dominant and non-dominant) in concentric and eccentric muscular power in the two exercises evaluated (knee flexion and extension).
The presence of muscle imbalances between limbs, known as inter-limb asymmetries, has been identified as a potential risk factor for musculoskeletal injuries [44]. The assessment of lower limb strength can provide valuable information both for injury prevention and for athletic performance enhancement [45]. Findings by Jeon et al. [46] indicate that athletes with quadriceps strength asymmetries of 10% or more exhibit a higher incidence of injuries. Similarly, among professional soccer players, disparities in maximal strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings have been associated with reduced muscular function and increased injury risk [44].
The present study presents the results of the comparison of the H/Q strength ratio between the right and left limbs, based on power output values of the lower limbs in collegiate futsal athletes. The findings revealed that the participants exhibited imbalances in the H/Q ratio in both limbs, in both concentric and eccentric actions. It is also noteworthy that the right limb showed a greater imbalance in the H/Q ratio during the concentric phase compared to the left limb.
Regarding muscular imbalance, beyond the absolute strength exerted by individual muscles, an important complementary factor in injury prevention is the strength ratio between agonist and antagonist muscles [25,26]. Accordingly, the literature has focused on the balance of strength between knee joint muscles, particularly the hamstring-to-quadriceps (H/Q) ratio, given that if quadriceps strength is significantly higher than hamstring strength, both the hamstrings and the ACL become more susceptible to injury [25,26]. This vulnerability arises because the hamstrings play a protective role against anterior tibial translation over the femur, especially during eccentric actions such as landings and sudden changes of direction—movements frequently observed in futsal [47]. Furthermore, eccentric actions of the hamstrings are considered protective factors for the knee joint, aiding in joint stability through co-activation during extension movements [48,49,50].
The H/Q ratio is considered one of the indicators of injury risk, as it plays an important role in knee joint stability by determining the balance between the extensor and flexor muscles of the knee [51]. The present study presents findings similar to those of Lira et al. [18] and Rebelo et al. [51], in which the mean H/Q ratio values (%) in both limbs indicate a potential injury risk. According to Aagaard et al. [52], values below 60%, as observed in the current study, are associated with an increased likelihood of injury.
The greater H/Q imbalance in the right limb may be associated with lateral dominance in technical gestures such as kicking, striking, and sport-specific or positional unilateral demands [53]. Accordingly, in the present study, all participants reported the right leg as their dominant limb, which exhibited a greater H/Q ratio imbalance than the left limb for concentric power. In the study by Harbili et al. [53] involving elite male and female taekwondo athletes, no significant bilateral asymmetry was found in isokinetic and isometric lower limb strength. However, strength differences between male and female athletes favored the dominant leg. Similarly, they found that isometric tendon strength was 15% higher in the dominant leg of male athletes and 11% higher in female athletes. Our results are consistent with those of Cuthbert et al. [54], who recommended eccentric exercises to correct H/Q asymmetries below 60%.
Therefore, the findings of this study provide a means of assessing muscular imbalance in female futsal athletes, in addition to identifying the predominant limbs in which these imbalances occur. It is also evident that by evaluating the power of the knee extensor and flexor muscles, as well as the strength of the right and left limbs, coaches may use such information to periodize and adapt training programs to prevent a factor that can lead to muscular imbalances and asymmetries between limbs. This, in turn, may contribute to injury prevention, particularly of the hamstrings and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which are among the structures most commonly affected during predominant movements in futsal [25,26].
Based on the results obtained in the present study, it is reasonable to consider several practical applications for futsal coaches. The identification of lower limb strength imbalances may contribute to the development of more effective training strategies and injury prevention programs. Additionally, the analysis of asymmetries allows for the individualized prescription of exercises, targeting weaker limbs and avoiding excessive overload. Moreover, correcting these asymmetries can enhance sports performance by improving neuromuscular efficiency and functional balance during movements such as jumping, sprinting, and changing direction, actions frequently performed in futsal. Consequently, these adaptations may contribute to improved and optimized athletic performance.
This study presents some limitations, the most notable being that only power values were evaluated. Additionally, considering that only unilateral knee flexion and extension exercises were performed, future studies may aim to evaluate power during other movements that are more specific to futsal practice. Future research could also include athletes of both sexes and various age groups.
Moreover, future investigations should incorporate functional performance tests (e.g., sprint speed) to assess the transferability of flywheel training to sport-specific actions [8]. It is also recommended that future studies control for menstrual cycle phases, as hormonal fluctuations can influence variables such as strength performance [28].

6. Conclusions

Based on the analyses performed and the results obtained, it can be concluded that the evaluated female university futsal athletes demonstrated higher eccentric power values in both exercises analyzed (unilateral knee flexion and extension) and in both limbs. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between limbs (right and left) for concentric and eccentric muscular power in either of the exercises evaluated. However, an imbalance in the hamstring-to-quadriceps (H/Q) strength ratio was identified, with the right limb exhibiting a greater imbalance in concentric power—a factor that may increase the risk of injury during futsal-specific actions.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, D.P.d.S.A., C.E.P.d.O. and O.C.M.; methodology, D.P.d.S.A., C.E.P.d.O. and O.C.M.; original draft preparation, writing—review and editing, D.P.d.S.A., C.E.P.d.O. and O.C.M.; data curation, D.P.d.S.A., P.A.G.A., S.F.N.C., R.d.F.F., J.S.V.; formal analysis, D.P.d.S.A., C.E.P.d.O. and O.C.M.; resources, C.E.P.d.O. and O.C.M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

D.P.d.S.A. was the recipient of a Master’s Scholarship linked to the Graduate Program in Physical Education at the Federal University of Viçosa, provided by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), an agency of the Brazilian Ministry of Education.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), under protocol number CAAE 81740024.5.0000.5153 and approval number 7.151.525, approval date 11 October 2024.

Informed Consent Statement

All subjects participated voluntarily, signed a free and informed consent form, and received information about the study according to Resolution 466/2012 of the National Health Council.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author (O.C.M.) upon reasonable request.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest to declare.

Abbreviations

The following abbreviations are used:
ICCIntraclass Correlation Coefficient
EJPDRight leg knee extension
EJPELeft leg knee extension
FJPDRight leg knee flexion
FJPELeft leg knee flexion
HUMAN LABHuman Morphophysiology Analysis Laboratory
H/QHamstrings/quadriceps
95%CI95% confidence interval
ACLAnterior cruciate ligament
PAR-QPhysical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
RIQPCHamstring/quadriceps concentric power ratio
RIQPEHamstring/quadriceps eccentric power ratio
SPSSStatistical Package for the Social Sciences
WWatts

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Physiologia 05 00026 g001
Figure 1. An example of unilateral knee extension movement using a multi-leg flywheel device (Physical Solutions, São Paulo, Brazil).
Figure 1. An example of unilateral knee extension movement using a multi-leg flywheel device (Physical Solutions, São Paulo, Brazil).
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Figure 2. An example of unilateral knee flexion movement using a multi-leg flywheel device (Physical Solutions, São Paulo, Brazil).
Figure 2. An example of unilateral knee flexion movement using a multi-leg flywheel device (Physical Solutions, São Paulo, Brazil).
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Table 1. Comparison of concentric and eccentric lower limb power in female collegiate futsal athletes.
Table 1. Comparison of concentric and eccentric lower limb power in female collegiate futsal athletes.
ConcentricEccentricΔ%TpES1-β
AverageSDAverageSD
KERL215.9173.49268.5286.4424.37−3.890.0030.720.955
KELL214.9273.25268.24109.9224.81−3.440.0060.730.963
KFRL103.7331.27145.9339.9640.68−9.08<0.0011.35>0.99
KFLL88.1334.98137.6855.9756.22−5.34<0.0011.42>0.99
Δ%: percentage difference between means; ES: effect size; KERL: knee extension right leg; KELL: knee extension left leg; KFRL: knee flexion right leg; KFLL: knee flexion left leg.
Table 2. Comparison between right and left limbs for lower limb power in female university futsal athletes.
Table 2. Comparison between right and left limbs for lower limb power in female university futsal athletes.
RightLeftΔ%TpES
AverageSDAverageSD
KECP215.9173.49214.9273.250.460.160.8770.01
KEEP268.5286.44268.24109.920.100.030.9810.00
KFCP103.7331.2788.1334.9815.041.960.0810.50
KFEP145.9339.96137.6855.975.650.070.9490.21
Δ%: percentage difference between means; ES: effect size; KECP: knee extension concentric phase; KEEP: knee extension eccentric phase; KFCP: knee flexion concentric phase; KFEP: knee flexion eccentric phase.
Table 3. Comparison of hamstring/quadriceps strength ratio between right and left limbs for lower limb power values in female university futsal athletes.
Table 3. Comparison of hamstring/quadriceps strength ratio between right and left limbs for lower limb power values in female university futsal athletes.
RightLeftΔ%TpES1-β
AverageSDAverageSD
HQCPR (%)50.3814.6742.469.240.462.850.0160.540.665
HQEPR (%)56.7115.5658.3821.065.65−0.460.6520.11
Δ%: percentage difference between means; ES: effect size; HQCPR: hamstring/quadriceps concentric power ratio; HQEPR: hamstring/quadriceps eccentric power ratio.
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da Silva Araújo, D.P.; Agostinho, P.A.G.; Chaves, S.F.N.; de Freitas Ferreira, R.; Valente, J.S.; de Oliveira, C.E.P.; Moreira, O.C. Flywheel Resistance Training in Female Futsal Players: Muscle Power Asymmetries and Injury Risk Implications. Physiologia 2025, 5, 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia5030026

AMA Style

da Silva Araújo DP, Agostinho PAG, Chaves SFN, de Freitas Ferreira R, Valente JS, de Oliveira CEP, Moreira OC. Flywheel Resistance Training in Female Futsal Players: Muscle Power Asymmetries and Injury Risk Implications. Physiologia. 2025; 5(3):26. https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia5030026

Chicago/Turabian Style

da Silva Araújo, Daniele Pereira, Pablo Augusto Garcia Agostinho, Suene Franciele Nunes Chaves, Rafael de Freitas Ferreira, Juliana Souza Valente, Claudia Eliza Patrocínio de Oliveira, and Osvaldo Costa Moreira. 2025. "Flywheel Resistance Training in Female Futsal Players: Muscle Power Asymmetries and Injury Risk Implications" Physiologia 5, no. 3: 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia5030026

APA Style

da Silva Araújo, D. P., Agostinho, P. A. G., Chaves, S. F. N., de Freitas Ferreira, R., Valente, J. S., de Oliveira, C. E. P., & Moreira, O. C. (2025). Flywheel Resistance Training in Female Futsal Players: Muscle Power Asymmetries and Injury Risk Implications. Physiologia, 5(3), 26. https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia5030026

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