Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the heart rate responses during small-sided games with different number of players. Sixteen professional soccer players were evaluated for body fat (%) using the skin fold thickness at three sites, VO2 max and running velocity at the lactate threshold using an incremental treadmill protocol. %HRmax was measured during four-, five-, six-, seven-, and eight-a side soccer games. The four-a-side game showed significantly (p<0.05) higher %HRmax in comparison to the other small-sided games. On the other hand, the %HRmax of the eight-a-side game was significantly lower (p<0.05) than three-, four-, five-, six-, and seven-a-side game. The intensity of small-sided games decreases as the number of players increase. The monitoring of heart rate during small-sided games combined with laboratory VO2 max tests is a possible way to define target training intensity zones.
Highlights
It is common during the daily soccer training to perform games with a limited number of players on each team in a smaller area of the pitch
Previous investigators have shown that the relative pitch size area per player, coach encouragement, the number of players on each side, the number of ball touches and the use of goalkeepers influence the intensity of small-sided games [3,7,8,9]
Several studies have examined the effects of the above factors using soccer players of different ages, training experience, level of competition, divisions and National leagues, limited data exists on the influence of each of these factors separately on elite soccer players [1,2,7,9,10]
Summary
It is common during the daily soccer training to perform games with a limited number of players on each team in a smaller area of the pitch These small-sided games develop physical abilities, as well as technical and tactical skills [1,2,3]. The knowledge of physical effort during various small-sided games allows coaches and trainers to better control the training process, and develop effective daily and weekly training plan. In this context, it is necessary to develop a better understanding of the drill intensity on elite soccer players as the number of players differentiates the effects of small-sided games with different number of players at the physiological levels
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
