The current study determined the area-per-player during small-or large-sided games with or without goalkeeper that replicates the relative (m�min-1) total distance, high-intensity running distance, sprint distance and metabolic power covered during official matches. Time-motion analysis was performed on twenty-five elite soccer-players during 26 home-matches. A total of 2565 individual samples for SSGs using different pitch sizes and different number of players were collected and classified as SSGs with (SSG-G) or without goalkeeper (SSG-P). A between-position comparison was also performed. The area-per-player needed to replicate the official match demands was largely higher in SSG-G vs SSG-P for total distance [187±53 vs 115±35 m 2 , effect size (ES): 1.60 95%CI 0.94/2.21], high-intensity running distance [262±72 vs 166±39 m 2 , ES: 1.66(0.99/2.27)] and metabolic power [177±42 vs 94±40, ES: 1.99(1.31/2.67)], but similar for sprint distance [(316±75 vs 295±99 m 2 , ES: 0.24(-0.32/0.79)] with direction of larger area-perplayer for sprint distance > high-intensity running > total distance metabolic power for both SSG-G and SSG-P. In SSG-G, forwards required higher area-per-player than central-defenders [ES: 2.96(1.07/4.35)], wide-midfielders [ES: 2.45(0.64/3.78)] and widedefenders [ES: 3.45(1.13/4.99)]. Central-midfielders required higher area-per-player than central-defenders [ES: 1.69(0.20/2.90)] and wide-midfielders [ES: 1.35(-0.13/ 2.57)]. In SSG-P, central defenders need lower area-per-player (ES:-6.01/-0.92) to overall replicate the match demands compared to all other positions. The current results may be used to gain knowledge of the SSGs relative to the match demands. This imply manipulating SSGs using higher or lower ApP, the presence of the goalkeeper or design specific rules to increase or decrease the position-specific demands with respect to the desired external load outcomes.

This study examined the most demanding passages of match play (MDP) and the effects of playing formation, ball-in-play (BiP) time and ball possession on the 1-min peak (1-min peak ) demand in elite soccer. During 18 official matches, 305 individual samples from 223 Italian Serie A soccer players were collected. MDP and 1-min peak were calculated across playing position (central defenders, wide defenders, central midfielders, wide midfielders, wide forwards and forwards). Maximum relative (m·min -1 ) total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR), very high-speed running (VHSR), sprint (SPR), acceleration/deceleration (Acc/Dec), estimated metabolic power (P met ) and high-metabolic load (HML) distance were calculated across different durations (1–5, 10, 90 min) using a rolling method. Additionally, 1-min peak demand was compared across playing formation (3-4-1-2, 3-4-2-1, 3-5-2, 4-3-3, 4-4-2), BiP and ball/no-ball possession cycles. MDP showed large to verylarge [effect-size (ES): 1.20/4.06] differences between 1-min peak vs all durations for each parameter. In 1-min peak , central midfielders and wide midfielders achieved greater TD and HSR (ES:0.43/1.13) while wide midfielders and wide forwards showed greater SPR and Acc/Dec (ES:0.30/1.15) than other positions. For VHSR, SPR and Acc/Dec 1-min peak showed fourfold higher locomotor requirements than 90-min. 1-min peak for Acc/Dec was highest in 4-3-3 for forwards, central and wide midfielders. 1-min Peak was lower during peak BiP (BiP peak ) for HSR, VHSR and Acc/Dec (ES: -2.57/-1.42). Comparing with vs without ball possession, BiP peak was greater (ES: 0.06/1.48) in forwards and wide forwards and lower (ES: -2.12/-0.07) in central defenders and wide defenders. Positional differences in MDP, 1-min peak and BiP peak were observed. Soccer-specific drills should account for positional differences when conditioning players for the peak demands. This may help practitioners to bridge the training/match gap.

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To compare three different protocols to assess the velocity associated with the maximal oxygen uptake (V max ) in soccer players. Sixteen semi-professional soccer players performed three maximum incremental tests on treadmill: two continuous protocols [1 km•h −1 •min −1 (CP1); and 1 km•h −1 every 2 min (CP2)], and one discontinuous (DP) protocol to determine V max , maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max ) and oxygen cost of running (i.e., the slope of the VO 2 vs velocity relationship at submaximal exercise). V max was higher in CP1> CP2> DP (19.4 ± 1.7, 17.4 ± 1.2, 16.1 ± 1.1 km•h −1 for CP1, CP2, and DP, respectively; P < 0.05 ES: 0.09 to 3.36). No difference in VO 2max was found between CP1, CP2 and DP (P > 0.05). Oxygen cost of running showed between-protocol differences (CP1> CP2> DP; P < 0.05; ES: 0.28 to 3.30). V max was higher when determined using continuous vs discontinuous protocols due to the greater overestimation in oxygen cost of running. Such differences in V max should be considered to optimize acute physiological responses during high-intensity running activities.

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