Running-based high-intensity interval training vs. small-sided game training programs: effects on the physical performance, psychophysiological responses and technical skills in young soccer players

This study aimed to compare the order effects of combined small-sided games (SSGs) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on the psychophysiological responses and physical and technical performances of young soccer players. Twenty-four soccer players (aged 14.63 ± 0.71 years) were randomly divided into SSGs + HIIT (n = 12) and HIIT + SSGs (n = 12) for 6 weeks. The SSGs consisted of two 4–16 min rounds of 2, 3, and four-a-side games with 2 min of passive resting, whereas the HIIT consisted of 6–10 min of high-intensity runs at varying intensities (from 90 to 100%). Pre-test and post-test elements included a 5–30 m sprint test, countermovement jump test, zigzag agility test with the ball and without the ball, repeated sprint ability test, speed dribbling ability test, three-corner run test, and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1. Both combined training interventions produced similar improvements in physical performance and technical responses (p ≥ 0.05, d values ranging from 0.40 to 1.10). However, the combined HIIT + SSGs training produced meaningfully lower perceived exertion (p = 0.00, d = 2.98) and greater physical enjoyment (p = 0.00, d = 4.28) compared with the SSGs + HIIT intervention. Furthermore, the SSGs + HIIT group showed a higher training load than those from the HIIT + SSGs group for all weeks (p ≤ 0.05, d values ranging from 1.36 to 2.05). The present study’s results might be used by coaches and practitioners to design training programmes for youth soccer players.

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A Meta-Analytical Comparison of the Effects of Small-Sided Games vs. Running-Based High-Intensity Interval Training on Soccer Players’ Repeated-Sprint Ability

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18052781 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (5) ◽

pp. 2781

Author(s):

Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽

Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo ◽

José Afonso ◽

Hugo Sarmento ◽

Thomas Rosemann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Intensity ◽

Interval Training ◽

Soccer Players ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

Training Interventions ◽

Repeated Sprint Ability ◽

Repeated Sprint ◽

Significant Difference ◽

High Intensity Interval ◽

Sprint Ability

This systematic review with a meta-analysis was conducted to compare the effects of small-sided games (SSGs)-based interventions with the effects of running-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) interventions on soccer players’ repeated sprint ability (RSA). The data sources utilized were Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and PubMed. The study eligibility criteria were: (i) parallel studies (SSG-based programs vs. running-based HIIT) conducted in soccer players with no restrictions on age, sex, or competitive level; (ii) isolated intervention programs (i.e., only SSG vs. only running-based HIIT as individual forms) with no restrictions on duration; (iii) a pre–post outcome for RSA; (iv) original, full-text, peer-reviewed articles written in English. An electronic search yielded 513 articles, four of which were included in the present study. There was no significant difference between the effects of SSG-based and HIIT-based training interventions on RSA (effect size (ES) = 0.30; p = 0.181). The within-group analysis revealed no significant effect of SSG-based training interventions (ES = −0.23; p = 0.697) or HIIT-based training interventions (ES = 0.08; p = 0.899) on RSA. The meta-comparison revealed that neither SSGs nor HIIT-based interventions were effective in improving RSA in soccer players, and no differences were found between the two types of training. This suggests that complementary training may be performed to improve the effects of SSGs and HIIT. It also suggests that different forms of HIIT can be used because of the range of opportunities that such training affords.

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Effects of 4-week small-sided games vs. high-intensity interval training with changes of direction in female collegiate basketball players

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching ◽

10.1177/17479541211032739 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 174795412110327

Author(s):

Jinshu Zeng ◽

Jing Xu ◽

Yuanhong Xu ◽

Wu Zhou ◽

Fei Xu

Keyword(s):

Physical Performance ◽

High Intensity ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Interval Training ◽

High Intensity Interval Training ◽

Basketball Players ◽

Collegiate Basketball ◽

High Intensity Interval ◽

And Control ◽

Movement Test

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of 4-week small-sided games (SSG) and high-intensity interval training with changes of direction (HIT-COD) on physical performance and specific technical skills in female collegiate basketball players. Nineteen players were divided into SSG (n = 9) and HIT-COD (n = 10) groups, that performed either SSG or HIT-COD three times per week for 4 weeks during the pre-season. Players’ heart rate (HR) and perceived exertion responses (RPE) were assessed during the intervention. Before and after the intervention period, performances were assessed with 30-15 intermittent fitness test (30-15IFT), repeated sprint ability (RSA) test, modified agility T-test (MAT), countermovement jump (CMJ), 20-m sprint, shooting accuracy test, 1 min shooting test, passing test, defensive movement test and control dribble test. Both training interventions led to similar physiological and perceived exertion responses, showing no significant differences in HR ( P = .49, d = 0.2) and RPE ( P = .77, d = 0.1) between groups. Significant improvements were observed in 30-15IFT (SSG: 4.1%, d = 1.5; HIT-COD: 4.2%, d = 1.7), RSAmean (SSG: −2.2%, d = 1.0; HIT-COD: −1.9%, d = 1.0), RSAbest (SSG: −2.0%, d = 0.9; HIT-COD: −2.1%, d = 1.1), MAT (SSG: −7.2%, d = 1.7; HIT-COD: 5.7%, d = 1.5), defensive movement test (SSG: −5.1%, d = 2.1; HIT-COD: −5.8%, d = 1.8) and control dribble test (SSG: −3.4%, d = 1.0; HIT-COD: −2.6%, d = 1.0). The only significant group × time interaction was found ( P = .032, [Formula: see text] = 0.24), with SSG improving 1 min shooting (22.4%, d = 1.0) and HIT-COD performing slightly worse (−2.6%, d = 0.1) after a 4-week intervention. The current study suggests that using SSG is more effective than HIT-COD for female collegiate basketball players in pre-season, since SSG improves physical performance and basketball-specific movements as well as shooting abilities after a 4-week intervention.

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