Physiological responses, time–motion characteristics and game performance in 4 vs. 4 small-sided games in elite youth soccer players: different number of mini-goals vs. stop-ball

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the physical load, time–motion characteristics and game performance of small-sided soccer games played with one goal a-side (SSG-1G), two goals a-side (SSG-2G) and stop-ball rule (SSG-SB).

Methods: Sixteen elite youth soccer players (aged 15.5 ± 0.5 years, VO_2max 67.9 ± 4.8 ml · min⁻¹ · kg⁻¹, maximum heart rate [HR_max] 200.0 ± 7.3 beats · min⁻¹) performed all games within 1 week in preseason. Physiological measurements included HR expressed in mean values and intensity zones, blood lactate concentration and ratings of perceived exertion. Distance travelled, number of sprints and work–rest ratio were captured by global positioning systems at 5 Hz. Game performance, such as volume of play and efficacy index, was estimated by the Team Sports Assessment Procedure.

Results: Statistically significant differences were found in HR, blood lactate concentration, moving at 7–12 km · h⁻¹ and volume of play. Additionally, magnitude-based inferences demonstrated that SSG-1G was associated with the most pronounced physiological load (HR 175 ± 8 beats · min⁻¹, blood lactate concentration 5.7 ± 2.1 mmol · l⁻¹) and volume of play, followed by SSG-SB and SSG-2G.

Conclusions: Thus, SSG-1G is recommended if a high-intensity game is preferred. Moreover, the high physiological load does not negatively affect the overall game performance.

KEYWORDS:

• One goal a-side
• two goals a-side
• stop-ball
• heart rate
• global positioning system

Acknowledgments

We express our gratitude to Sirka Ginsel, Steffen Brandau, Thomas Eden, Sebastian Elvers, Christoph Haberland, Eugen Schneider and Birk Virkus for their assistance in data acquisition. Procedures of the study were executed at Oldenburg University.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.