Abstract
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.
Highlights
Ultimate Frisbee is a noncontact, team-based sport played by millions of people across approximately 50 countries [1,2]
The number of accelerations, decelerations, catching errors, and turnovers were significantly greater in small-sided games (SSGs) on small (SSGS) than in SSGL (p < 0.05)
Our study suggests that ultimate Frisbee SSG is effective in stimulating the glycolytic pathway, as it can elicit a higher blood lactate concentration (BLa) than those elicited in regular games (4.3–8.4 mmol/L) [1,2], as well as SSGs of other sports (2.2–9.6 mmol/L) [8]
Summary
Ultimate Frisbee is a noncontact, team-based sport played by millions of people across approximately 50 countries [1,2]. Sex-specific or mixed-sex games are played either outdoor or indoor, with five to seven players per team [1,2,3,4]. Players throw a disc and aim to score goals by catching it in the attacking end zone. As a pivot location must be established (the toe of one foot must remain planted in one spot) immediately after receiving a pass, the player possessing the disc can pivot but cannot travel (no displacement from that fixed position can occur [5]) until they have thrown the disc. Disc throwing skill as well as the movement of players when they do not possess the disc are important for scoring goals. Players repeatedly perform high-intensity movements, such as sprinting and changing direction throughout the game, in order to receive an effective pass when playing offense, and to prevent losing points when playing defense
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