The Effect of Circuit Strength Training on the Muscle Strength, Speed, and Agility in Chinese Domestic Futsal Athletes

Background and Aims: Futsal is a high-intensity, fast-paced sport, requires athletes to possess exceptional physical abilities, including strength, speed, and agility. However, research on the application of circuit strength training for futsal players remains limited, particularly in Chinese domestic futsal athletes. This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week circuit strength training program on muscle strength, speed, and agility in Chinese domestic futsal players aged 16-18 years. Methodology: A total of 30 futsal athletes (balanced in gender) were randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group performed 30–40 minutes of circuit strength training three times per week for 12 weeks (RPE: 6–8), while the control group maintained their routine training. Paired and independent sample t-tests were conducted to examine within- and between-group differences, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: After eight weeks, the circuit strength training group exhibited statistically significant improvements in lower limb strength, as indicated by increases in leg extension (from 80.00 kg to 85.00 kg) and leg curl (from 40.22 kg to 53.76 kg) performance, while the control group demonstrated no observable changes. Significant enhancements in speed were also evident, with the circuit strength training group achieving faster times in both the 20-meter sprint (3.48 s to 3.02 s) and the 400-meter run (84.45 s to 80.28 s). Moreover, agility performance improved markedly, with completion times decreasing from 9.56 s to 7.88 s, whereas the control group showed no statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Circuit strength training effectively enhances key performance indicators essential for futsal athletes, including lower limb muscle strength, agility, and speed. This study provides evidence supporting the integration of circuit strength training into futsal training programs, emphasizing its role in optimizing physical performance.