title: Physical and technical comparisons between various-sided games within professional soccer.
abstract: This study compared the technical activity and physical movements of various-sided games within professional soccer. It also examined the test-retest reliability of sided games using various numbers of players. 10 elite male players from a Scottish Premier League performed small- (SSGs: 4 vs. 4), medium- (MSGs: 5 vs. 5 to 8 vs. 8) and large- (LSGs: 9 vs. 9 to 11 vs. 11) sided games each lasting for 3×5 min. Results show significant physical differences (p<0.05) between SSGs, MSGs and LSGs for most of the variables measured. It was shown that SSGs induce a significantly faster playing speed when compared to MSGs and LSGs (150.5 vs. 108.3 vs. 120.4 m.min-1, p<0.01) but significantly less (p<0.01) repeated high-intensity efforts (0.88 vs. 4.40 m), high-intensity running (7 vs. 39 m) and sprint distance (0 vs. 11 m) when compared to LSGs. Findings also revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between SSGs, MSGs and LSGs in technical demands (passes, dribbles, shots, headers). High levels of reproducibility (ICC=0.99) were yielded when using the same-sided games, pitch sizes and possession rules. This study provided information on different-sided games to facilitate its use as part of a periodised weekly structure.
authors.affiliation: Sheffield United Football Club, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.affiliation: Human Performance Laboratory, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Aspetar, Doha, Qatar.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: Santy Orthopedic Clinic, Sport Science and Research Department, Lyon, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dellal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult