Abstract
PurposeThe present study was designed to investigate the influence of two distinct small-sided game (SSG) regimes on physiological, perceptual, and technical parameters in male elite lacrosse players.MethodData were collected in twelve elite male Austrian lacrosse players (25.8 ± 5.5 years; 80.1 ± 7.7 kg; 178.5 ± 6.2 cm). Players’ were assigned to an intermittent (SSG-I) or a continuous (SSG-C) SSG regime, respectively. Regimes were equated for total practice time, but not active playing time. SSG data from eight sessions of 3 vs. 3 self-regulated match-play were collected along a 4-week pre-season period. Players’ YoYo-Level 1 (YYL1) performance before and after the training intervention was recorded. Further, heart-rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES), and technical actions during and after SSG sessions were analyzed.ResultsBoth SSG regimes showed improvement with medium to very large effect sizes (ES) in YYL1 total distance covered pre- to post-intervention (SSG-C mean-difference ± SD: 840 ± 299 m; p = 0.003; d = 1.08; CI = 0.60 to 1.56 and SSG-I: 607 ± 274 m; p = 0.003; d = 1.25; CI = 0.66 to 1.85 respectively). Higher %HRmax values with very large ES (92 ± 0.6%; p = 0.002; d = 5.33; CI = 2.78 to 7.88) and time spent in HR zone 4 (1248.0 ± 122.7 s; p = 0.000; d = 3.43; CI = 2.31 to 4.55) were observed for SSG-C. No differences between regimes were found for any of the assessed technical actions, global RPE, and PACES scores.ConclusionsBoth SSG regimes investigated in this study were effective in improving YYL1 performance. Further, findings indicate that the regime does not influence players’ subjective feelings and technical actions in SSG play. However, SSG-I in lacrosse specific training could have additional benefits such as lower signs of fatigue. Further, breaks can be used to give technical and tactical inputs by coaches.
Highlights
Lacrosse is a Native American stick and ball invasion game [1]
Higher %HRmax values with very large effect sizes (ES) (92 ± 0.6%; p = 0.002; d = 5.33; confidence interval (CI) = 2.78 to 7.88) and time spent in HR zone 4 (1248.0 ± 122.7 s; p = 0.000; d = 3.43; CI = 2.31 to 4.55) were observed for small-sided game (SSG)-C
No differences between regimes were found for any of the assessed technical actions, global rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES) scores. Both SSG regimes investigated in this study were effective in improving YoYo-Level 1 (YYL1) performance
Summary
Lacrosse is a Native American stick and ball invasion game [1]. Today, according to international rules it is played with 10 players per side on a 110m x 60m pitch, in 20min quarters, and unlimited interchange. The game is characterized by intermittent high-intensity activity, collisions, and rapid changes of directions [2]. With time, it has become one of the fastest growing team sports in the United States of America. Increased popularity is noticeable in other areas of the world [3,4,5,6]. Such growth supports the need for more research into the sport. Much less is known about training loads and the implementation of particular forms of training
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