Small-sided games (SSGs) are spontaneous forms of specific training where exercise intensity can be manipulated by modifying external factors. To ensure suitable usage of small-sided games in practice, we have to know which variables can influence internal responses and external loads. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of presence of a goalkeeper and the pitch size on internal responses and the external load during five-a-side soccer games. Twenty nine junior soccer players (age: 18.11 ± 1.31 years; body mass index: 21.04 ± 2.58 kg·m-2; peak heart rate: 199.53 ± 7.51 beats·min–1) participated in the study. The heart rate, distance covered and the rate of perceived exertion were monitored. We found significantly higher average heart rates of players in 5v5 SSGs without goalkeepers than with them on a small pitch. Analysis showed significant differences in the time spent in 65-85% of the peak heart rate zone and ˂65% of the peak heart rate zone on the small pitch. Furthermore, we found significantly higher distance covered by players during five-a-side games with goalkeepers than without them played on the small pitch. Our results indicate that the pitch size is a very important variable that influences the work load of players. The inclusion of the goalkeeper decreases the work load of the player on a small pitch (28 × 20 m; 560 m2), but not on a medium or large pitch.

field during either offensive (left wing, left back, centre back, right back, right wing, and pivot) or defensive (players are counted from the side to the centre of the field) phases. Each position has its own specificities. Pivots play in the smallest area (~12 m 2), most of the time between two defenders, wings in ~15 m 2 , while backs and centre backs play in wider spaces (~64 m 2). Tactical roles of each position generate a great deal of body contact and duels (one vs. one confrontation to gain a favourable situation, e.g., shooting, blocking an opponent) (Karcher & Buchheit, 2014). Knowledge of the game's demands is also essential for the design of handball-specific training drills in both professional and developing players. To develop their full potential, promising players need to be provided with the most appropriate learning environments, including well designed technical, tactical, and handball-specific physical (e.g., strength, speed, and endurance) development programmes (Karcher & Buchheit, 2014). Finally, to be optimal, these training

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Male team handball players covered a total distance of 3,627 ± 568 m (group means ± SD) per match with a total effective playing time of 53.9 ± 5.9 minutes, while full-time (60 minutes playing time) male handball players covered 3,945 ± 538 m. The mean speed was 6.40 ± 1.01 km ⋅ h -1 (Michalsik et al., 2013;.Mean heart rate and relative workload during male match play were 163 ± 5 beats ⋅ min -1 and 70.9 ± 6.0% of VO 2max , respectively. Post-match blood lactate concentration was 4.8 ± 1.9 mmol ⋅ L −1 (range: 2.8-10.8 mmol ⋅ L -1 ) (Michalsik et al., 2015b). Players showed 36.9 ± 13.1 (group mean ± SD) high-intense technical playing actions per match with a mean total effective playing time of 53.9 ± 5.9 minutes. In attack, each player performed 6.0 ± 5.2 fast breaks, received 34.5 ± 21.3 tackles in total, and in defense performed 3.7 ± 3.5 blockings, 3.9 ± 3.0 claspings, and 5.8 ± 3.6 hard tackles (Michalsik et al., 2015a).Background: Effective training depends on knowledge of a sport's requirements. Small-sided games (SSG) are a spontaneous form of specific training, where exercise intensity can be manipulated mainly by modifying external factors. In SSG the players develop technical and tactical skills in the similar situations, such as during a match and can also develop their physical skills. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the distance covered and physiological response of altering the number of youth male players during small-sided team handball games with modified rules. Methods: The subjects consisted of 12 male youth team handball players (age 16.6 ± 0.5 years) playing the first league for youth male players in the Czech Republic. The study was conducted during six weeks (one training session per week). Only three SSG were played in each training session. The SSG were played, first with five players on each side (5 vs. 5), then four (4 vs. 4), then three (3 vs. 3). Each game was four minutes long, followed by three minutes of passive rest. Results: The players covered the greatest distance (520.6 ± 61.4 m) in the SSG 3 vs. 3. There was a difference in the distance covered between players in the 3 vs. 3 SSG and the other SSG (4 vs. 4 and 5 vs. 5) (p = .041 and p = .043, respectively). In individual speed zones a difference occurred only in the first and third speed zone and always among the 3 vs. 3 and 5 vs. 5 SSG (p = .034 and p = .044), respectively. The highest average intensity (87.9 ± 4.8% HR max ) was in 3 vs. 3 SSG. Loading of the players in 5 vs. 5 was lower compared to 4 vs. 4 (p = .035) and 3 vs. 3 (p < .001). There was a difference in zone load intensity (> 90% HR max ) between 3 vs. 3 and 5 vs. 5 SSG (p = .041). Conclusions: These results indicate that changing the number of players during SSG with modified rules in youth team handball may be used to manipulate the physiological response during youth team handball training.

Background: Training preparation in soccer is thought to improve body composition and performance level, especially the maximal aerobic capacity (VO 2 max). However, an enhancement in performance may be attenuated by the increase of fatigue. Heart rate variability (HRV) as a non-invasive index of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity has been considered to be a sensitive tool in fatigue assessment. Objective: This study was focused to evaluate the response of ANS activity and morpho-physiological parameters to eight week training preparation. Methods: Study included 12 trained soccer players aged 17.2 ± 1.2 years. Athletes underwent pre-and post-preparation testing that included the ANS activity assessment by spectral analysis of HRV in supine and upright position. Further, body composition was analyzed via electrical bio-impedance method and physiological parameters were assessed during maximal stress tests. ANS activity and subjective feeling of fatigue was assessed continuously within subsequent weeks of preparation. Results: No significant differences in all HRV variables within weeks were found. Pre vs. post analyses revealed a significant (p < .05) increase in body weight, fat free mass, body mass index, and peak power. A significant decline in mean maximal heart rate (HR) and resting HR at standing was identified at the end of preparation. Since no significant changes between pre-post-preparation in the mean VO 2 max occurred, the positive correlation between the individual change in VO 2 max and the vagally related HRV [supine LnHF (r = .78), Ln rMSSD (r = .63), and the standing LnHF (r = .73, p < .05)] was found. Conclusions: This study showed that an 8 week training program modified particularly fat free mass and short-term endurance, whereas both the autonomic cardiac regulation and the feeling of fatigue remained almost unaffected. Standing position seems to be more sensitive in terms of the HR response in relation to fatigue perception than supine.Keywords: heart rate variability, adaptation, exercise, vagal activity, body composition, fatigue & Marins, 2008;Impellizzeri, Rampinini, & Marcora, 2005;Reilly, Bangsbo, & Franks, 2000). Besides VO 2 max, running economy also takes an important part in aerobic endurance determination. For example, Helgerud et al. (2001) showed the 6.7% increase in running economy after 8 week of aerobic training in junior soccer players.Standardized aerobic training programs have been shown to increase VO 2 max by 25% in untrained subjects (Lortie et al., 1984). However, to date, the literature has repeatedly reported heterogeneous responses in VO 2 max to the same aerobic training program that ranged from decreases to over 40% enhancements in VO 2 max (Boutcher, Park, Dunn, & Boutcher, 2013;Hautala, Kiviniemi, & Tulppo, 2009;Hautala et al., 2003;Kohrt et al., 1991;Vesterinen et al., 2013). Some authors have suggested that the inter-individual variation in adaptive responses to training is related to the individual training status ("trainability"). They IntroductionSucc...