Cardiovascular Responses, Perceived Exertion and Technical Actions During Small-Sided Recreational Soccer: Effects of Pitch Size and Number of Players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the cardiovascular, perceived exertion and technical effects of altering pitch size and number of players in recreational soccer match-play. The further aim was to evaluate to what extent exercise intensity during various game formats corresponds to the recommended intensity level for cardiovascular fitness improvement. Ten male recreational players aged 31.7±7.6 years (mean ± SD) completed four variations of small-sided games (except for goalkeepers, 5-a-side and 7-a-side on small and large pitches) during which heart rate, perceived exertion and technical actions were evaluated. Two-way analysis of variance on repeated measures was applied to collected data. The results indicated that an average workload expressed as heart rate and percentage of heart rate reserve during 5-a-side games was higher than for 7-a-side games. The rate of perceived exertion values were moderate and similar for all formats of games. The players performed more dribbling and successful passes, but fewer unsuccessful passes during 5-a-side games. Furthermore, the number of ball possessions and unsuccessful passes was higher on a small pitch than on a large one. Consequently, the current findings suggest that, independent of pitch size, the cardiovascular demands imposed on participants increase when the game is played with fewer players. However, all formats of recreational soccer can be used as an effective activity to promote cardiovascular fitness. Finally, participants may have more chance to perform basic technical actions during 5-a-side games on small and large pitches.

Effect of the pitch size and presence of goalkeepers on the work load of players during small-sided soccer games

“…The work load of players during SSGs can be influenced by many variables such as dimensions of the pitch (Casamichana and Castellano, 2010), the number of players (Aslan, 2013; Castellano et al, 2013; Randers et al, 2014), rule modifications (Mallo and Navarro, 2007), continuous and intermittent modality (Impellizzeri et al, 2006) and goalkeepers´ presence (Dellal et al, 2008; Mallo and Navarro, 2007) or coach encouragement (Rampinini et al, 2007). …”

Skill-related performance in soccer: a systematic review

“…Decrease in the field size dimensions with the same number of players promotes an increase of technical actions [22,34,36,37]. According to Hodgson et al [37], 'the smaller pitch size reduces the active playing area and requires players to make faster decisions and execute skills with higher frequency' (p. 31).…”

“…SScG, friendly and official matches), 63.4% provided no definitions or classifications for the analysed variables (e.g. [29,[34][35][36][37]). Subsequently, it becomes difficult to compare the results derived from different studies, so that reproducibility can be ensured, an essential feature of scientific research, as exposed by O'Donoghue [38]: 'it is essential for system operators and the eventual consumers of the information generated by performance analysis to have a shared understanding of the variables used' (p. 36).…”

Efeitos Do Treinamento Em Jogos Reduzidos Com Inferioridade Numérica No Futebol

“…Além disso, os jogos reduzidos favorecem uma melhora no condicionamento aeróbico, por meio de adaptações no sistema cardiorrespiratório e metabólico em função de sua alta intensidade [7][8][9] . As variáveis cardiorrespiratórias são mais responsivas a exercícios de elevada intensidade, na condição de inferioridade numérica, observada em jogos reduzidos 10 . A frequência cardíaca é uma variável utilizada como indicador da intensidade do exercício, assim como a percepção subjetiva de esforço 11,12 .…”