The Effects of Long Sprint Ability–Oriented Small-Sided Games Using Different Ratios of Players to Pitch Area on Internal and External Load in Soccer Players

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the internal and external load imposed by long sprint ability–oriented small-sided games (SSG) using different ratios of players to pitch area (densities) in soccer players. Methods: A total of 19 professional soccer players from the same soccer club (age = 17.1 [0.3] y, height = 1.76 [0.69] m, and body mass = 69.7 [9.4] kg) participated in this study. Players performed 4 × 30-s (150 s recovery) all-out 1-vs-1 SSG considering 300, 200, and 100 m2 per player (48 h apart). Players’ external loads were tracked with global positioning technology (20 Hz). Heart rate, blood lactate concentration (BLc), and rating of perceived exertion characterized players’ internal load. Peak BLc was assessed with a 30-s all-out test on a nonmotorized treadmill (NMT). Results: SSG300 produced higher BLc than SSG200 (moderate) and SSG100 (large). The SSG300, SSG200, and SSG100 BLc were 97.8% (34.8%), trivial; 74.7% (24.9%), moderate; and 43.4% (15.7%), large, of the NMT30s peak BLc, respectively. Players covered more distance at high intensity during the SSG300 than in other SSG conditions (huge to very large differences). High-intensity deceleration distance was largely lower in SSG200 than in SSG300. SSG100 elicited very large to huge and large to very large lower external load values than SSG300 and SSG200, respectively. Conclusions: The main finding of this study showed an inverse association between ball-drill density and internal/external loads in long sprint ability–oriented SSG. The SSG300 provided BLc closer to individual maximal, thus satisfying the all-out construct assumed for the development of long sprint ability. Further studies using the SSG300 as a training intervention and/or investigating other different SSG formats using the same density are warranted.

An Investigation into the Relationship Between Heart Rate Recovery in Small-Sided Games and Endurance Performance in Male, Semi-professional Soccer Players

“…In comparison, the players in the current study covered only 61% of the distance at speeds below 13 km/h, indicating a clearly higher intensity, which in turn explains the greater ØHR and BLC (Table 1). BLC at a similar level as in the current study (11.4 ± 3.31 mmol L −1 ) has been reported by Castagna et al [32] in repeated bouts (4 × 30 s with 150 s recovery) of 1 vs. 1 SSGs with mini-goals (1.5 × 2 m) played on a relatively large pitch (30 × 20 m). The SSGs were performed allout; ergo, the players were told to cover as much distance as possible to create maximal effort (RPE, 8 ± 1).…”

“…Given the fact that all available studies on SSGs reported clearly lower values for BLC, the current study's chosen load protocol appears to be particularly suited to provoke a very high BLC in a soccer-specific test situation. Thus, this also enables the evaluation of players' anaerobic capacity that is an important precondition to cope with high-intensity phases during matches more frequently and for longer periods of time [32]. All things considered, the SSG protocol utilized in the present study caused a very high internal load for the players involved.…”

“…In total, the players covered a distance of 601 ± 54 m, resulting in an average velocity of about 18 km/h and corresponding to more than twice the mean velocity of our study (8.7 km/h). This high average velocity may have been due to Castagna et al [32,33] focus on the Table 2 Pearson's correlations of external and internal load parameters (outcomes of the incremental treadmill test are highlighted in gray)…”

Area per player in small-sided games to replicate the external load and estimated physiological match demands in elite soccer players

“…For the aims of this study, the interchangeability of GPS and MCIS for TD, HIRD, TSD, Acc/ Dec and P met needed to be calculated as first step. A 10Hz GPS (K-Sport, Montelabbate, Italy) unit was used to collect data during the training sessions [30]. The GPS unit was placed within a dedicated pouch between the player's shoulder blades (upper thoracic-spine) in a sports vest and worn under the playing jersey.…”

Area per player in small-sided games to replicate the external load and estimated physiological match demands in elite soccer players

“…For the aims of this study, the interchangeability of GPS and MCIS for TD, HIRD, TSD, MechW and P met needed to be calculated as first step. A 10Hz GPS (K-Sport, Montelabbate, Italy) unit was used to collect data during the training sessions [18]. The GPS unit was placed within a dedicated pouch between the player’s shoulder blades (upper thoracic-spine) in a sports vest and worn under the playing jersey.…”