Effects of Small-Sided Games vs. Running-Based High-Intensity Interval Training on Physical Performance in Soccer Players: A Meta-Analytical Comparison
Open Access
- 1 March 2021
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Frontiers Media SA in Frontiers in Physiology
Abstract
Objectives: This systematic review with meta-analysis (SRMA) was conducted to compare the effects of SSG-based interventions vs. running-based HIIT interventions on soccer players' sprinting time (ST), vertical height jump (VJH), and change of direction time (CODt). Data Sources: The data sources utilized were Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and PubMed. Results: An electronic search yielded 650 articles, six of which were included in the present study. Between-group analysis found a significant favoring effect of HIIT-based over SSG-based training interventions for the improvement of linear sprinting time (ES = 0.42; p = 0.012). A within-group analysis revealed a significant favoring effect of HIIT-based training interventions for improving linear sprinting time (ES = 0.42; p = 0.008) and CODt (ES = 1.04; p = 0.005) despite a non-significant effect on VJH (ES = 0.47; p = 0.22). Conclusions: The meta-analytical comparison revealed favoring the effect of running-based HIIT over SSG-based interventions in sprinting performance, although no significant differences were observed for jumping and CODt performance. The findings suggest that SSG-based programs should be supplemented by other training methods that benefit determinant capacities in soccer players.Funding Information
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (UIDB/50008/2020)
This publication has 58 references indexed in Scilit:
- Effects of small-sided game and change-of-direction training on reactive agility and change-of-direction speedJournal of Sports Sciences, 2013
- A Comparison of the Physiological and Technical Effects of High-Intensity Running and Small-Sided Games in Young Soccer PlayersInternational Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 2013
- A Re-Analysis of the Cochrane Library Data: The Dangers of Unobserved Heterogeneity in Meta-AnalysesPLOS ONE, 2013
- Quantification of the physiological loading of one week of “pre-season” and one week of “in-season” training in professional soccer playersJournal of Sports Sciences, 2011
- Physiology of Small-Sided Games Training in FootballSports Medicine, 2011
- Effect of Preseason Concurrent Muscular Strength and High-Intensity Interval Training in Professional Soccer PlayersJournal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 2010
- Physiology of SoccerSports Medicine, 2005
- Measuring inconsistency in meta-analysesBMJ, 2003
- Quantifying heterogeneity in a meta-analysisStatistics in Medicine, 2002