Physiological responses and time–motion characteristics of various small-sided soccer games in youth players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine acute physiological responses and time–motion characteristics associated with three different small-sided soccer game formats in youth players. Sixteen male soccer players aged 16.3 ± 0.6 years (mean ± s) completed three variations of a small-sided game (i.e. 2 vs. 2, 4 vs. 4, and 6 vs. 6 players) in which heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), blood lactate concentration, and time–motion characteristics were recorded. The pitch size was altered to keep the relative pitch area per player consistent for each game format. The 2 vs. 2 games exhibited greater blood lactate, heart rate, and RPE responses compared with 4 vs. 4 and 6 vs. 6 games (P < 0.05). The players travelled less (P < 0.05) distance at speeds of 0–7 km · h⁻¹ in the 4 vs. 4 compared with the 2 vs. 2 games (1128 ± 10 m and 1176 ± 8 m, respectively). Average maximal sprint distances above 18 km · h⁻¹ were lower (P < 0.05) in 2 vs. 2 than in 4 vs. 4 and 6 vs. 6 games (11.5 ± 3.9 m, 15.3 ± 5.5 m, and 19.4 ± 5.9 m, respectively), and in 4 vs. 4 compared with 6 vs. 6 games. The results show that as small-sided game formats decrease in size and relative pitch area remains constant, overall physiological and perceptual workload increases.