Small-sided games do not replicate all external and internal loads of a football match-play during pre-season: A case study

Abstract

This study investigated the differences in external and internal load during pre-season training sessions carried out with different SSGs and a friendly match in top-class professional football players. The study was conducted over a full pre-season. Participants were 9 male top-class professional football players (25 ± 5 years; 74 ± 8 kg; 177 ± 8 cm). The following variables were measured: training session duration (min), average heart rate (bpm), total distance (m), distance covered per minute (m/min), the total number of accelerations > 2.5 m/s2, number of accelerations > 2.5 m/s2 per minute, average distance of accelerations (m), the average value of acceleration (m/s2). One-way ANOVA was performed to analyze the variance of all evaluated variables. No differences were found in the average accelerations (m/s2) (0.128) among all the training formats. Moderate differences were found in number of accelerations > 2.5 m/s2 per minute (η2 = 0.396, moderate effect) and average distance of accelerations (η2 = 0.545). Strong differences were found in HR (η2 = 0.788, large effect), total distance (η2 = 0.797, strong effect), distance per minute (η2 = 0.775 strong effect), total number of accelerations > 2.5 m/s2 (η2 = 0.699 strong effect). Significant correlations were found just for the number of accelerations > 2.5 m/s2 and the number of accelerations > 2.5 m/s2 per minute with the 4v4, 8v8 and the FM (r = 0.828–0.890, r2 = 69% – 79%; p < 0.01). External and internal loads differ across different SSGs and a FM during the pre-season training sessions.

Investigating Acceleration and Deceleration Patterns in Elite Youth Football: The Interplay of Ball Possession and Tactical Behavior

“…As such, the match context, including the initial formation, tactical strategies regarding the distribution of spaces, and ball possession, must also be considered [4,31]. Few existing studies examining the initial formation of the game reported higher demands for Ac/Dec when distances are shorter and fewer players are available [32], especially in possession-based playing styles like the 3-4-2-1 or 4-4-2 formation [33,34]. Positional differences in Ac/Dec demands lack consensus, with some studies suggesting midfielders [3,11,24], others forwards [1], and still others wingers and full-backs [6,9].…”

Do small-sided games prepare players for the worst-case scenarios of match play in elite young soccer players?

“…However, the global indicator of workload (work ratio and player load) was higher during SSGs than in friendly matches. More recently, Pinheiro et al [ 12 ] stated that with professional soccer players the total distance per minute was higher during friendly matches than during different formats of SSGs. Additionally, no differences were found between friendly matches and SSGs considering mechanical values (number and average distance of accelerations).…”