Japanese collegiate and club lacrosse games are often held under environmental conditions of extreme heat in the summer. Lacrosse players are also required to wear protective equipment, which is a risk factor for heat-related illness. Nevertheless, the thermoregulatory responses of lacrosse players under such conditions are poorly understood. The present study compared the thermoregulatory responses in subjects wearing the mens' lacrosse uniform or general athletic clothes during an exercise-simulated lacrosse match played in the heat (high temperatures). Eight men performed two experimental trials of 4 × 15-min intermittent cycling exercise in the heat (35°C, 50% relative humidity). All participants performed two trials wearing a lacrosse uniform (WEAR) or general athletic clothes (CON). The physiological strain index was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the WEAR condition than in CON, and exceeded the high risk level for heat-related illness in WEAR during the 3 rd quarter. Additionally, rectal temperature, skin temperature, heart rate, and ratings for perceived exertion, thermal sensation, and thermal comfort were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the WEAR condition than in CON. Rectal temperature continued to increase during half-time in the WEAR condition, but not in CON (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that lacrosse players are at a higher risk of heat-related illness compared to other team sport athletes during a match because of the protective equipment worn, especially after half-time. Although further studies are required to confirm the thermoregulatory responses during an actual lacrosse match, our data will be useful in developing strategies to minimize the risk of heat-related illness.

Small-sided games (SSGs) are common drills used in various team sports, but the exercise intensity in ultimate Frisbee SSG has not yet been investigated. To clarify the physical, physiological, and technical demands of ultimate Frisbee SSG, we investigated the influence of pitch size on exercise intensity during SSG. Nine male college ultimate Frisbee players played (3 vs. 3) SSG on small (SSGS: 30 × 15 m) and large (SSGL: 40 × 20 m) pitches; both SSGs comprised of four 4 min periods, interspersed by 5 min of passive recovery. Players’ mean heart rate (170 ± 8 and 171 ± 7 bpm), peak heart rate (184 ± 7 and 184 ± 5 bpm), and blood lactate concentration (11.3 ± 4.7 and 11.8 ± 4.6 mmol/L) were similar in SSGS and SSGL, respectively. The total distance covered (1984 ± 166 m and 1702 ± 80 m) and the distance covered during quick (860 ± 112 m and 696 ± 69 m) and high-intensity running (439 ± 95 and 255 ± 44) in SSGL were significantly longer than those in SSGS (p < 0.05). Conversely, the number of accelerations (45 ± 3 and 41 ± 3) and decelerations (44 ± 3 and 40 ± 4), catching errors (2 ± 1 and 1 ± 1), and turnovers (8 ± 2 and 6 ± 2) in SSGS were significantly greater than those in SSGL (p < 0.05). This study suggests that ultimate Frisbee SSG provides high-intensity training, which stimulates the glycolytic pathway. Furthermore, manipulating SSG pitch size effectively modulates the physical demands of SSG.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of changes in scoring methods on game activities and technical requirements for small-sided games (SSGs). Twelve male college soccer players participated in the study (mean ± standard deviation [SD]; age: 20 ± 0 years; height: 172.6 ± 6.3 cm; weight: 68.7 ± 6.3 kg; athletic career duration: 13 ± 2 years). All participants played three-a-side games using 4 different scoring methods. The scoring method was set to 1 goal without shot zones (1G), 1 goal with shot zones (1Gzone), 2 goals without shot zones (2G) and 2 goals with shot zones (2Gzone). In games with shot zone conditions, only goals resulting from shots within the zone were allowed. SSGs comprised 6 min of game play, and the field dimensions were 27 m × 18 m. The scoring method significantly affected total distance in the movement category (1G, 606.2 ± 45.7 m vs. 2Gzone, 671.4 ± 41.6 m; P <0.05) and high-intensity running in the locomotor movement category (1G, 48.6 ± 21.5 m vs. 1Gzone, 91.2 ± 38.7 m; 2Gzone, 90.6 ± 33.5 m; P <0.05). In addition, the scoring method significantly affected the average number of shots per player in the technical actions category (1G, 3.9 ± 1.1 n; 2Gzone, 2.5 ± 1.4 n; P <0.05). These results demonstrate that organization of the shot zone resulted in an increase of highintensity running during SSGs.