Differences in strength and speed demands between 4v4 and 8v8 small-sided football games.
The aims of this study were (i) to characterise the acceleration demands of two different formats of small-sided game (SSG), i.e., 4v4 + goalkeepers (4v4 + GK) and 8v8 + goalkeepers (8v8 + GK); (ii) to analyse the correlation between performance in power-based tests and acceleration-based physical loading during the two different SSG formats and (iii) to analyse the neuromuscular-induced fatigue. Eighteen adult male footballers participated in the study (20.7 ± 1.0 years, 178 ± 5 cm and 71.4 ± 2.1 kg). Baseline measurements were obtained from countermovement jumps, 15 s repeated jumps and 5 and 15 m sprints. A total of 36 min was analysed for each SSG (4v4 + GK: two sets of 3 × 6 min, and 8v8 + GK: 2 × 18 min). Heart rate, blood lactate, perceived exertion and movement pattern (GPS) were analysed. Distances covered by very-high-intensity activities and very-high-speed running were lower in 4v4 + GK than in 8v8 + GK (effect sizes (ES) = -0.69 ± 0.67 and -1.04 ± 0.67, respectively; very likely), while accelerations and decelerations were higher in 4v4 + GK than in 8v8 + GK (ES = 1.13-1.52; almost certainly). Blood lactate concentrations were higher (ES = 1.40 ± 0.58; almost certainly) and players perceived themselves to be more tired (ES = 0.80-2.31; almost certainly) after 4v4 + GK than after 8v8 + GK. Sprint ability in 5 and 15 m tests decreased (ES = 0.87 ± 0.58 and 0.89 ± 0.58, respectively; almost certainly) only after 4v4 + GK. This SSG format appeared more demanding in relation to repetitions and fatigue development of muscle power-based actions than 8v8 + GK. It may therefore be logical to use the former type of SSG to target development of power-related football actions.
a Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sports , University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.
António Natal Campos
AN
Rebelo
a Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sports , University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.|b FC Zenit , St. Petersburg , Russia.
Pedro
P
Silva
a Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sports , University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.
Vincenzo
V
Rago
a Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sports , University of Porto , Porto , Portugal.
Daniel
D
Barreira
c Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Section of Human Physiology , University of Copenhagen , Copenhagen , Denmark.|d Sport and Health Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences , University of Exeter , Exeter , UK.
Peter
P
Krustrup
D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005538:Football; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010465:Perception; D010807:Physical Endurance; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
D019344:Lactic Acid
Time-motion; acceleration demands; fatigue; technical skills