A Meta-Analytical Comparison of the Effects of Small-Sided Games vs. Running-Based High-Intensity Interval Training on Soccer Players’ Repeated-Sprint Ability

Abstract

This systematic review with a meta-analysis was conducted to compare the effects of small-sided games (SSGs)-based interventions with the effects of running-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) interventions on soccer players’ repeated sprint ability (RSA). The data sources utilized were Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and PubMed. The study eligibility criteria were: (i) parallel studies (SSG-based programs vs. running-based HIIT) conducted in soccer players with no restrictions on age, sex, or competitive level; (ii) isolated intervention programs (i.e., only SSG vs. only running-based HIIT as individual forms) with no restrictions on duration; (iii) a pre–post outcome for RSA; (iv) original, full-text, peer-reviewed articles written in English. An electronic search yielded 513 articles, four of which were included in the present study. There was no significant difference between the effects of SSG-based and HIIT-based training interventions on RSA (effect size (ES) = 0.30; p = 0.181). The within-group analysis revealed no significant effect of SSG-based training interventions (ES = −0.23; p = 0.697) or HIIT-based training interventions (ES = 0.08; p = 0.899) on RSA. The meta-comparison revealed that neither SSGs nor HIIT-based interventions were effective in improving RSA in soccer players, and no differences were found between the two types of training. This suggests that complementary training may be performed to improve the effects of SSGs and HIIT. It also suggests that different forms of HIIT can be used because of the range of opportunities that such training affords.

Effects of Bout Duration on Load, Sprint, and Jump Ability During a One-on-one Transition Task

“…During training sessions, coaches must apply an appropriate training load to their soccer players in order to optimize performance, avoid injury, and allow recovery from fatigue [2]. To achieve an appropriate training load, multiple components should be developed simultaneously, so optimization of the training time is crucial [3]. Due to their positive time-efficient characteristics [4], small-sided games have become the most fre-quent training exercises used by coaches, but although they have many advantages they also have important limitations in reproducing the high-intensity and sprint demands of competitive situations [5][6][7].…”

“…These drills are called transition games (TGs) and it has been affirmed that they induce more high-speed running and high accelerations but lower distances covered, player load, and minor decelerations than smallsided games [15]. Although during small-sided games it has been demonstrated that the manipulation of constraints affects soccer players' running requirements [3,4,15,18], currently it is unknown how they could modify the training load in TGs. One of the most frequent and manipulable constraints used by soccer coaches is the bout duration, which is known to affect players' external and internal loads [20].…”

Optimizing the Explosive Force of the Elite Level Football-Tennis Players through Plyometric and Specific Exercises

“…Some studies about the impact of the development of the strength of football players with the possibility of extrapolation to football-tennis have focused on strength training models on strength and muscle strength in performance footballers, and on complex training models aimed at optimizing explosive skills in correlation with speed and coordination [70][71][72]. The approach of sports technique is a permanent concern of experts whose studies have focused mainly on identifying the impact of developing maximum hitting speed in relation to the use of different types of ball [73][74][75]; as well as the correlation between technical level and different types of training [76][77][78].…”

A Meta-analysis of the Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training and Small-Sided Games on Sprint Performance in Adolescents

“…Although previous meta-analyses have compared the effects of SSG and HIIT, these studies only involved individual sports or soccer. There was no systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of SSG and HIIT in general team sports (8,9,13,31,35). Because team sports have specific demands on sprints, conducting a meta-analysis of the effects of SSG and HIIT on RSA and LSA in general team sports is necessary.…”