Effects of Tapering of Three Different Percentages on Physiological Variables Among Futsal Players

The purpose: this study aimed to determine the effect of a two-week tapering period on physiological variables by reducing three different percentages of volume (30%, 50%, 70%) while maintaining high training intensity on young futsal players. Method: An experimental design was used. The research sample was chosen from players of the talent school in Nineveh Governorate for the year 2023-2024, totaling 18 players (6 players per group). A paired student's t-test was used to process the interaction effect between pre- and post-training, and an ANCOVA test was used to determine the differences between the three groups. Results: Tapering with a 50% reduction rate led to the development of all physiological variables of performance in the Bruce test (p0.005), aerobic (p0.025) and anaerobic work (p0.018), VO2max (p0.028), and blood Lactate (p0.031). while tapering with a 30% reduction rate led to the development of aerobic work (p0.33) and VO2max (p0.044). Tapering with a 70% reduction rate led to the development of achievement in the Bruce test(p0.01), anaerobic work (p0.046), and LA (p0.030). While there were no significant differences among the three groups in physiological variables of performance in the Bruce test (p0.151), aerobic (p0.085) and anaerobic work (p0.343), VO2max (p0.181), and LA (p0.166). Conclusions: the tapering by 50%, showed a more balanced development in aerobic and anaerobic work, VO2max, and LA compared to to the tapering by 30% reduction, which developed only aerobic work and VO2max, and to the tapering 70% reduction, which developed anaerobic work and LA.