title: 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.
authors.affiliation: School of Sports Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA. hillhaas.stephen@gmail.com
authors.forename: Stephen V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Hill-Haas
authors.forename: Brian T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: Aaron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Coutts
authors.forename: Greg J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Rowsell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid