International Journal of Sports Science

p-ISSN: 2169-8759    e-ISSN: 2169-8791

2014;  4(6A): 0-0

doi:10.5923/s.sports.201401

Preface - Soccer, Futsal and Beach Soccer: Applying Science in Sport

Copyright © 2014 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

The idea of doing a special issue on the theme "Soccer, Futsal and Beach Soccer: applying science in sport" came from the interest in investigating new trends and disseminate the latest scientific studies on these modalities. Thus, the objective was to encourage and disseminate new research related to these modalities, in various fields of sport science: game analysis, physiology, biomechanics, etc.
Soccer, futsal and beach soccer are classified as invasion team sport. Thus, having similarities in their sports technical gestures. These modalities are globally managed by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), which organizes the most important tournaments of the modalities, the World Cups. Regionally, these sports modalities are managed by continental associations and their affiliated national federations.
Soccer is the most popular and most played sport in the world. According to data from FIFA, over 270 million people around the world practice activities involving soccer. This popularity is also reflected in the science applied to sport. Regarding scientific production, the volume of data on the modality in question is also great in many different fields. However, despite the large amount of existing studies, the necessity of continuing research to provide the evolution of mode is required.
Futsal is certainly one of the fastest growing sports in recent years, especially with the media coverage of the games. This growth requires further investigation in this sport modality and a constant update of the professionals involved. However, many scholars argue that the level of growth of the sport is not being followed by a necessary scientific development, since the production of scientific papers on the Futsal is still considered scarce. The truth is that there is still much to investigate, in various domains.
The Beach soccer, although less popular than other sports, has come to prominence in the sports scene, and currently, according to FIFA, it is being one of the fastest developing sports in the world. Although the Beach Soccer has been spread worldwide in recent years, in at least 170 of the 207 national associations that make up FIFA, it has not been the object of many scientific studies. Currently there are few studies available on the modality. Despite being a relatively new modality, it is important to know their specific characteristics.
Thus, it becomes important to know more about the internal dynamics of these modalities and their own characteristics, increasing the specific knowledge, improving the training process and, consequently, the performance in competition.
The diversity of topics covered in this special issue manuscripts and the origin of the researchers highlight the commitment and effort to improve these modalities, in various domains. Only the development of new research can provide a consistent basis for the evolution of these sports.
Finally, I would like to thank the International Journal of Sports Science for the invitation, and especially to authors who believed in this work. I would also like to thank in a very special way to all the reviewers who gave of their time to reviewing manuscripts and contributed directly to the achievement of this special edition. Certainly, without the help of you, this work would not be possible. It is recorded here my most sincere thanks:
Christos Papahristodoulou (School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University – Sweden)
Cloe Cummins (Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney – Australia)
Constantino Arce (Faculty of Psychology, University of Santiago de Compostela – Spain)
Daniel Barreira (Faculty of Sports, University of Porto – Portugal)
Daniel Coelho (Sports Center, Federal University of Ouro Preto – Brazil)
Diego Urdiales (Department of Education, University Jaume I – Spain)
Erik Lundkvist (Department of Psychology, Umea University – Sweden)
Gabriele Mascherini (Sports Medicine Center, University of Florence – Italy)
Isabel Mesquita (Faculty of Sports, University of Porto – Portugal)
Jader Bezerra (Center of Health Science and Sport, Federal University of Acre – Brazil)
João Serrano (School of Sciences and Technology, University of Évora – Portugal)
Julen Castellano (Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Science, University of the Basque Country – Spain)
Luis Felipe Campos (Department of Adapted Physical Activity, State University of Campinas – Brazil)
Matthias Kempe (Institute of Cognitive and Team/Racket Sport Research, German Sport University – Germany)
Naomi Crystal (Robert Kertzer Exercise Physiology Laboratory, University of New Hampshire – USA)
Roland Leser (Centre for Sport Science and University Sports, University of Vienna – Austria)
Sílvio Oliveira Júnior (Center of Biological Science and Health, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul – Brazil)
Thomas Metaxas (Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – Greece)
Werner Helsen (Department of Kinesiology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven – Belgium)
Wycliffe Njororai (Department of Health and Kinesiology, University of Texas at Tyler – USA)
Werlayne Leite
Guest Editor
werlaynestuart@yahoo.com.br