Performance In Small-sided Games Research Articles

Effects of a short-term in-season break on repeated-sprint ability, jump height and locomotor performance in small-sided games in female soccer players

The current study aimed to analyse the effects of an in-season break period (2-week) on specific performance in amateur young female soccer players. Twelve female soccer players completed four assessment sessions, two before (BD-d1 and BD-d2) and two after (AD-d1 and AD-d2) a 2-week in-season break detraining period (both separated by 24 h). In each session, players completed a repeated sprint ability test (repeated sprint ability = 8 sprints of 30 m with 25 s of recovery), a countermovement jump test and locomotor performance in small-sided games (small-sided games = 3 sets of 5 min in a 5 vs. 5). Players exhibited a significant decrease in mean of repeated sprint ability (mean time of 8 sprints, p = 0.000, effect size = 2.04) and countermovement jump ( p = 0.009, effect size = 1.39) performance between BD-d1 and AD-d1. The percentage of change between BD-d1 and BD-d2 from AD-d1 and AD-d2 shows significant differences ( p = 0.05, effect size = 1.12) in best of repeated sprint ability (best time of 8 sprints) but not ( p = 0.517, effect size = 0.31) in mean of repeated sprint ability. Significantly less high-intensity acceleration was performed in BD-d2 and AD-d2 from BD-d1 ( p = 0.003, effect size = 3.21 and p = 0.002, effect size = 3.25, respectively). Only a 2-week in-season break inactivity was sufficient to decrease mean of repeated sprint ability and countermovement jump performance but not the best of repeated sprint ability. Therefore, it is necessary to apply specific training strategies to prevent decreases in performance in female soccer players in specific periods of the season.

Effects of Three Preseason Training Programs on Speed, Change-of-Direction, and Endurance in Recreationally Trained Soccer Players.

Background: Modern coaches experience a drastic reduction of the available training time with an increasingly large number of competitions during the competitive season. Thus, they must choose wisely the most efficient methods to improve the physical fitness of their players during the preseason. Among all the methods, this study compared the effects of plyometric training (PT), sprint interval training (SIT), and small-sided games (SSGs) on the performance of recreationally trained soccer players.Methods: Seventy-three participants were randomly assigned in one of the three experimental groups (i.e., PT [n = 23], SIT [n = 26] or SSGs [n = 24]) and completed two sessions per week for a total of 3 weeks. Meanwhile, the whole group maintained their habitual soccer-specific training program who do not interfere in the preparation of the season. Repeated sprint ability (RSA), maximal aerobic speed (MAS), and a 30-m sprint were assessed at baseline (PRE) and post-training (POST).Results: Performance in SSGs decreased for the average speed from 0 to 10 m (V0−10m; −0.84 km h−1, −4 ± 5%, p < 0.001), the maximal distance (Dmax) covered in the 30-s RSA test (−3.65 m, −3 ± 6%, p < 0.01) and MAS (−0.52 km h−1, −3 ± 6%, p < 0.01). PT increased the mean distance (Dmean) covered in the 30-s RSA test (+5.98 m, 5 ± 4%, p < 0.001) and MAS (+0.58 km h−1, 7 ± 5%, p < 0.01) while an improvement of all parameters but the maximal sprint speed reached during the 30-m trip (Vmax) was found in the SIT group (V0−10m: +1.462 km h−1, 8 ± 5%, p < 0.001; Dmax: +7.89 m, 6 ± 5%, p < 0.001; Dmean: +8.69 m, 7 ± 5%, p < 0.001 and MAS: +1.74 km h−1, 12 ± 8%, p < 0.001). All SSG POST values were significantly lower than PT and SIT (p < 0.01). Dmean and MAS in POST were also significantly higher in SIT than in the PT group (p < 0.001).Conclusion: This study suggests that both PT and SIT could be a better alternative to SSGs to boost performances during preseason. Moreover, SIT seems to produce higher improvements in physical performances than PT.

Time Constraint Increases Mental Load and Influences in the Performance in Small-Sided Games in Basketball

ABSTRACT Purpose: In team sports like basketball, small-sided games have received much scientific attention because of their capacity to simulate competitive environments. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of different task constraints on mental load, and its consequences for individual and team performance in basketball small-sided games. Method: Twenty-four university students voluntarily took part in this study (Mage = 20.81 years [± 1.76]). Four different 3 × 3 basketball games were played: (A) free game, (B) seven seconds possession, (C) three passes maximum per attack phase, (D) conditions B and C combined. Results: Statistical analysis showed that constraints B, C and D produce more mental load, provoke differences in the affect response and the performance is worse. Conclusion: These results demonstrate the mental cost of restricting the time and number of passes, separately and combined to decide and act.

Do Changes in Fitness Status, Testosterone Concentration, and Anthropometric Characteristics Across a 16-Month Training Period Influence Technical Performance of Youth Soccer Players During Small-Sided Games?

Rodrigues Lopes, RA, Aoki, MS, Carling, C, Vaz Ronque, ER, and Moreira, A. Do changes in fitness status, testosterone concentration, and anthropometric characteristics across a 16-month training period influence technical performance of youth soccer players during small-sided-games? J Strength Cond Res 36(5): 1404-1409, 2022-This study examined the influence of changes in physical capacity, testosterone concentration, and anthropometric characteristics across a 16-month training period on technical performance of youth players during small-sided games (SSG). Thirty-five elite youth players (14.3 ± 0.2 years, 170 ± 6.2 cm, and 61 ± 6 kg) were assessed on 3 occasions (T1, T2, and T3) over the period. A multivariate canonical correlation (MCC) was used to assess the multiple associations between the criterion variable (SSG technical performance) and the predictor variable (physical capacity represented by the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 [Yo-Yo IRT1], testosterone concentration, and anthropometric characteristics). Changes between T1 and T3 were retained for MCC analysis. Multivariate canonical correlation analysis revealed 2 significant functions (R2 = 0.42 and 0.36) indicating a significant relationship between predictor and criterion variables. Changes in Yo-Yo IRT1 performance were the main contributor to the predictor variable, whereas the frequency of tackles/interceptions contributed mostly to the criterion variable (SSG technical performance). These results showed that technical performance in SSG was influenced by changes in Yo-Yo IRT1 performance, suggesting the importance of monitoring in conjunction, intermittent exercise capacity, and technical performance in SSG in youth soccer players. In addition, the stability in technical performance during SSG observed over the experimental period suggests that practitioners could use SSG as a tool for systematic real-world monitoring of technical performance rather than isolated practice drills.

MENTAL FATIGUE IN SOCCER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

ABSTRACT Fatigue in soccer players is traditionally investigated based on neuromuscular and metabolic factors. However, given that soccer is one of the sports that has the highest cognitive demand, it is believed that players' performance might also be influenced by the high levels of attention, and frequent decision-making required in soccer. This systematic review aimed to verify the effects of mental fatigue on physical, technical, tactical and cognitive performance of soccer players. We searched in the electronic databases Pubmed, Web of Science and Scopus, for articles published up to 30 April 2018. We included articles that used a protocol of mental fatigue through cognitive tasks performed prior to a physical or cognitive task related to soccer. Only studies that presented an experimental design with the control condition (without mental fatigue) and the experimental condition (with mental fatigue) were selected. A total of six articles met the inclusion criteria, one study by backward reference search and other through the authors' indication. The results showed smaller distances covered in physical tests, while the effects of mental fatigue on physical performance in small-sided games were not clear. In technical tests, there were more penalties in passes and less accuracy and speed when kicking the ball when players were in conditions of mental fatigue. Regarding the tactical variables, it was found that mental fatigue had a detrimental effect on the synchronization between team players and on individual tactical performance in defensive actions. In cognitive tests, based on video recordings of game play, negative effects on the players' speed and accuracy of decision-making were observed. According to the results of the literature search, it can be inferred that mental fatigue is a factor that has a negative influence on soccer performance. Level of evidence II; Systematic review.

Length, width and centroid distance as measures of teams tactical performance in youth football

Small-sided games are commonly used in training and teaching contexts of football. However, few studies have focused on the tactical implications of this type of drills. The aim of this study is to identify how tactical collective behaviour varies with age in different small-sided game formats. We investigated the in-game field position in three different age groups of youth football players [under-9 (n=10; age = 8.5±0.53), under-11 (n=10; age = 10.4±0.52) and under-13 (n=10; age = 12.7±0.48)], participating in two different small-sided game conditions (GK + 3×3 + GK and GK + 4×4 + GK). A team variable was created based on the players’ length per width ratio (lpwratio), and a match variable was calculated as the distance between the centroid of the two teams. Results show that team variable values were influenced by the age of the players, as younger teams tend to present a higher value of lpwratio in their dispersion on the pitch. The variability of this variable also showed a decrease for teams with older players, suggesting a more consistent application of the width (stretching and creating space) and concentration (compressing into a confined area) principles of play and reflecting a higher level of collective tactical behaviour. Match variable showed a larger centroid distance for the older age groups in comparison with the younger players in the GK + 3×3 + GK, while all age groups demonstrated similar large centroid distances in the GK + 4×4 + GK game format. These results suggest that length and width ratio and centroid distance are useful measures of tactical performance in small-sided games in youth football.