Small-Sided Games Versus Interval Training in Amateur Soccer Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of small-sided games (SSGs) in soccer versus high-intensity intermittent training (HIT) on a continuous aerobic test (Vameval) and the performance in an intermittent test with changes of direction (CODs; 30-15 intermittent fitness test [30-15(IFT)]). Twenty-two amateur soccer players (mean age ± SD: 26.3 ± 4.7 years) were assigned to 3 different groups for 6 weeks: SSG group (n = 8), HIT group (n = 8), and control group (CG; n = 6). In addition to the usual technical and tactical sessions and competitive games, the SSG group performed 9 sessions of 2 versus 2 and 1 versus 1 SSGs, whereas the HIT group performed 9 sessions of intermittent runs in the form of 30 seconds of effort interspersed with 30 seconds of passive recovery (30s-30s), 15s-15s, and 10s-10s. The HIT and SSG groups showed performance improvements in the Vameval test (5.1 and 6.6%, respectively) and the 30-15(IFT) intermittent test with CODs (5.1 and 5.8%, respectively), whereas there was no change in the performance of the CG. Players from HIT and SSG groups showed similar increase in their performance in the 30-15(IFT) and the Vameval tests during the 6-week training period, especially with an increase significantly different to that in a traditional training as in the CG (p < 0.05). This investigation demonstrates that both SSG and HIT interventions are equally effective in developing the aerobic capacity and the ability to perform intermittent exercises with CODs in male amateur soccer players. Furthermore, these 2 methods of training applied during the 6 weeks induce similar effect on the recovery capacity and on the ability to repeat directional changes of 180°. Coaches will now be able to choose between these two methods according to the objective of the training and to optimize the training.

The presence of the head coach during a small-sided game: effects on players´ internal load and technical performance. [La presencia del entrenador durante un juego reducido: efectos sobre la carga interna y rendimiento técnico].

“…In soccer training, SSG are commonly used to aid the physical preparation of players (Hill-Haas et al, 2011). Indeed, SSG aid development of the aerobic (Dellal, Varliette, Owen, Chirico, & Pialoux, 2012;) and anaerobic (Radziminski, Rompa, Barnat, Dargiewicz, & Jastrzebski, 2013) condition of players via manipulation of different intensities determined by the configuration of the selected task (Hill-Haas et al, 2011). Changes in pitch dimensions (Casamichana et al, 2010), introduction of goals (Castellano et al, 2013;Köklü et al, 2015), variations in the number of players ), constraints in ball touches per individual possession (Dellal, Lago-Penas, Wong, & Chamari, 2011), or the introduction of manmarking (Ngo, Man-Chung, Smith, Carling, Gar-Sun, & Wong, 2012) all influence the intensity of the SSG.…”

Effect of the pitch size and presence of goalkeepers on the work load of players during small-sided soccer games

“…SSGs are considered to be suitable to match specific aerobic conditioning (Hill-Haas et al, 2009; Impellizzeri et al, 2006; Little, 2009; Little and Williams, 2006). Furthermore, a 6 week period of training sessions with SSGs increased the repeated sprint ability and enhanced changes of directions (Dellal et al, 2012). Moreover, SSGs combine conditioning together with the development of technical and tactical skills under the pressure of opponents (Hoff et al, 2002).…”

Comparison of physical demands in small sided games and competition in football players under 13

“…Durante las tareas de 3x3 y 4x4 (51 y 90 m 2 /j, respectivamente) apenas se registraron distancias recorridas a sprint, siendo el número de sprints muy reducido. Este hecho es algo que también coincide con la bibliografía actual, sosteniendo la teoría de que los JR presentan demandas insuficientes en cuanto a las distancias recorridas a altas velocidades de carrera (Casamichana et al, 2013;Dellal et al, 2012). Esto se debe principalmente a la limitación del área total de juego y del área disponible por jugador, ya que se puede comprobar cómo con el aumento del espacio aumentan también las demandas a altas velocidades de carrera.…”

“…En consonancia con previos estudios, la principal limitación de los JR frente a la competición reside en un déficit de distancias recorridas a alta intensidad de carrera (Casamichana et al, 2013;Dellal et al, 2012). Las demandas de competición referentes a las variables relacionadas con el sprint no se reproducen en ninguna de las tres tareas de fútbol reducido.…”

“…Igualmente, hay estudios que defienden la utilidad de los JR en el entrenamiento, tanto en la mejora de la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria como de la habilidad para realizar acciones a alta intensidad de manera intermitente (Casamichana, Castellano, & Dellal, 2013;Dellal, Varliette, Owen, Chirico, & Plaloux, 2012). Por lo que la pérdida de salto en CMJ, entendida como una disminución de la fuerza explosiva ocasionada por la fatiga, podría ser un buen método para evaluar la carga neuromuscular que supone para el jugador cada tarea de juego reducido en función del espacio de interacción individual.…”