Game format alters the physiological and activity demands encountered during small-sided football games in recreational players

Fixed pitch size small-sided games in young soccer players: effects of different age categories and competitive levels on the physical and physiological responses

We compared the physical and physiological responses of young soccer players of different ages U13 (Under 13 years), U15, and U17 and competitive levels (elite and sub-elite) during fixed-pitch size smallsided games (SSGs) performed under different formats. In a cross-sectional design, seventy-two male players (12 players in each group) performed 3-a-side and 4-a-side SSGs with a fixed-pitch size (40 × 20 m). The total distance covered (TD), peak velocity (Vpeak), the distances covered at different running speed zones (0 to < 7.0, 7.0 to < 14.0, 14.0 to < 18.0, and ≥ 18.0 km.h-1), peak heart rate (HRpeak), HRmean, expressed as percentage of the theoretical HRmaxTheo, and blood lactate concentration post-SSGs (BLa) were recorded. Players in the 3-a-side SSGs covered more TD, distances covered at different speeds and Vpeak than those of the 4-a-side SSGs across all age categories of both competitive levels (p < 0.05). The 3-a-side SSGs induced higher BLa in all elite groups (p < 0.05), and U13-sub-elite players (p=0.004). HRpeak(%HRmaxTheo) and HRmean(%HRmaxTheo) were greater in the 4-a-side SSGs than the 3-a-side SSGs in most age categories of both competitive levels (p < 0.05). In the zone-3, the U13- and U15-elite covered more distance than U17 in both formats. In both formats, elite players covered larger TD and distances at zone-1 and zone-4 sub-elite players (p < 0.05). BLa was higher in U17-sub-elite compared to their elite counterparts in the 4-a-side SSGs. Our study shows that 3-a-side SSGs are physically more demanding than 4-a-side, especially for elite players. Tailoring training to age and competitive level is crucial for optimising player development.

The Influence of Including Goalkeepers on the Intensity Demands of Walking Football Practice

This preliminary study examined the effects of playing walking football with and without a goalkeeper (GK) on physiological, physical, technical, and perceptual variables in older men. Twenty participants (67 ± 4.7 years) engaged in two five vs. five walking football sessions, one WITH-GK and one WITHOUT-GK, using a randomized crossover design. The heart rate (HR), distance covered, technical actions, perceived exercise intensity, and enjoyment were measured. The results showed a significantly higher average HR (131 bpm vs. 123 bpm, p < 0.001), %HRmax (79% vs. 74%, p < 0.001), and time in higher HR zones (>80%HRmax, p < 0.05) in the WITH-GK condition. Participants also covered more total distance in the WITH-GK condition (1123 m vs. 1083 m, p < 0.001), particularly at speeds above 4 km/h (834 m vs. 781 m, p < 0.001). Conversely, more passes were made in the WITHOUT-GK condition (20 vs. 16 passes, p < 0.001), while the WITH-GK condition showed more shots (two vs. one, p < 0.001). The perceived exercise intensity was slightly higher in the WITHOUT-GK condition (five vs. four, p = 0.01), although the enjoyment levels were similar, with a slight preference for WITHOUT-GK. Overall, playing WITHOUT-GK provides a safer, lower-intensity alternative to WITH-GK, reducing the physical and perceived strain while maintaining enjoyment. This makes WITHOUT-GK particularly suitable for older adults or individuals with health conditions, promoting participation and rehabilitation with minimized risks.

Physical Demands of Walking Football in Patients With Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Diseases

OBJECTIVE

To compare the exercise intensity of walking football (WF) with walking (WA) and to describe specific movement characteristics of WF.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Sports facilities Saarland University, Germany.

PATIENTS

Eighteen patients with cardiovascular risk factors CVRFs and diseases (13 men and 5 women, age: 69 ± 10 years).

INDEPENDENT VARIABLES

Patients completed a WF match and WA session of 2 x 10 min each. Video analysis was used to characterize movements during WF.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Rate of perceived exertion (RPE, Borg Scale 6-20), % maximum heart rate (HR max ), musculoskeletal pain on a visual analog scale (VAS, 1-100 mm) before and up to 72 hours after exercise, and movement patterns during WF.

RESULTS

The mean RPE during WF (12.1 ± 2.7) and WA (11.9 ± 3.0) did not differ ( P = 0.63). The mean HR during WF (79 ± 12% of HR max ) was higher than during WA (71% ± 11%; P < 0.01). The HR variability coefficient of variation during WF (10.3% ± 5.8%) and WA (7.1 ± 5.5%) did not differ ( P = 0.13). There was no influence of exercise mode (WF vs WA) on musculoskeletal pain perception ( P = 0.96 for interaction). Injury-inciting activities such as lunges (median: 0.5 [interquartile range (IQR) 0-1.3]) and goal kicks (median: 4 [IQR: 1.8-5.3]) occurred rarely during WF.

CONCLUSIONS

Walking football might represent an alternative to WA for health prevention programs in patients with CVRF and diseases as it is characterized by a manageable cardiocirculatory strain, moderate RPE, low pain induction, and a low number of injury-inciting activities.

The effect of a 10-week TOCA Football System intervention program on sport-specific motor skills among junior footballers

Introduction

The objective of our study was to examine, in addition to using the TOCA Football System tool and training method, the effect of a 10-week intervention on elite youth athletes in terms of their sport-specific motor skills and anthropometric variables.

Methods

The study covered a group of 32 young players practicing football (U14) (13.45 ± 0.64 years). The junior U14 footballers were randomly assigned to an intervention or TOCA group (TG, N = 15, 13.25 ± 0.58 years) and a control group (CG, N = 17, 13.63 ± 0.66 years). Before starting the test, we performed full anthropometric measurements and assessed the sample's agility with and without the ball and their sport-specific endurance. The measurements were then repeated after the 10-week intervention.

Results

Within-group analysis showed significant improvements in muscle mass (p < 0.001), sport-specific endurance (p < 0.001), (p < 0.004) and agility (in TG) both with and without the ball (p = 0.002), (p = 0.004) however, we did not find a significant change in body fat percentage in either group (p = 0.988, p = 0.288). In the CG, "agility with the ball" changed significantly only (p = 0.023). In the between-group analysis with a repeated-measures analysis of variance (mixed-design ANOVA), there was no significant interaction in any performance variables. The main findings of this study indicate that a TOCA Football training program in addition to normal training during the in-season period does not produce additional effects in anthropometric factors, sport-specific endurance and agility performance with the ball (dribbling) and without the ball in comparison with the control condition.

Discussion

From a practical point of view, the presented anthropometric and physical profiles of players can be useful for football coaches in optimizing soccer training. Overall, it also can be concluded that the device can be safely used in the sensitive age group in terms of the development of motor skills since we did not find any negative effects during the use of the device in terms of the parameters we examined. In addition to the expansion of the number of elements and the inclusion of other age groups, it is advisable to carry out further complex tests, as the TOCA Football System offers many research opportunities.

Warm-up optimization in amateur male soccer players: A comparison of small-sided games and traditional warm-up routines on physical fitness qualities

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of small-sided soccer games (SSSGs) and traditional warm-up (TWU) routines on physical fitness qualities in soccer players. Following a between-subject, randomized design, amateur-level soccer players were assigned to a SSSG warm-up (n = 10; age: 19.3 ± 2.8 years) or TWU group (n = 10; age: 19.3 ± 2.4 years). Players completed multiple trials of 10-m and 30-m linear sprints, change-of-direction speed (CODS) tests, and countermovement jumps (CMJ) prior to and following the warm-up routine. Separate mixed ANOVAs were performed to assess group effects (SSSG vs. TWU), time effects within each group (pre- vs. post-warm-up), and their interaction for each physical fitness quality. No significant interaction effects were observed for any dependent variable. Significant improvements were evident between baseline and follow-up measurements for 10-m sprint time (p = 0.002, Hedges' g effect size [g] = 0.59) and CMJ variables (height: p = 0.016, g = 0.20; power: p = 0.003, g = 0.19; force: p = 0.002, g = 0.14) in the TWU group and for CODS performance time (p = 0.012, g = 0.51) and CMJ variables (height: p < 0.001, g = 0.46; power: p = 0.002, g = 0.35; force: p = 0.001, g = 0.27) in the SSSG warm-up group. Both SSSG and TWU protocols improved selected physical fitness qualities with SSSG more effective at improving CODS and CMJ performance, and TWU more effective at improving linear speed. Soccer coaches may choose between SSSG or traditional warm-up activities according to player needs and preferences; however, the superior effects of SSSG suggest it might offer greater benefits than TWU in preparing players for optimal physical output.

Rethinking training in elite soccer players: comparative evidence of small-sided games and official match play in kinematic parameters

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare kinematics parameters among official matches and SSGs of an Italian premier league soccer team.

METHODS

Eighteen elite professional male soccer players (4 central defenders, 4 wide defenders, 3 central midfielders, 3 box-to-box midfielders, 2 wingers and 2 strikers) took part in the study. Players were monitored during four months of full training (including preseason and in-season) and over 26 matches (14 Serie A matches, 9 Europa League matches, and 3 friendly matches), from July 2017 until November 2017. The kinematic parameters during official matches and SSGs were evaluated through video match analysis.

RESULTS

The kinematic data analysis shows that the metabolic power, that constitutes an integrated measure of acceleration and velocity, fails to reflect what occurs during actual match-play.

CONCLUSIONS

An increased attention should be place in planning SSGs during training to better reproduce actual match situations.