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Manipulation of number of players and bouts duration in small-sided games in youth soccer players

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Abstract

Purpose

To examine the influence of player number, bout duration and their interaction on small-sided game (SSG) variations in running performance, perceptual response and technical components in under-14 soccer players.

Methods

Eleven players randomly performed 3v3 and 5v5 SSG of 4 × 5 min, 2 × 10 min and 20 min duration. Total distance (TD), distance covered at high-intensity running (HIR), sprinting and > 80% peak speed of the Carminatti’s test (PST-CAR) were analyzed every 5-min epoch. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and players’ technical performance were also assessed.

Results

TD (p < 0.001) and distance > 80% PST-CAR (p = 0.017) were significantly greater in 4 × 5 min than in the other conditions. The distance covered > 80% PST-CAR was significantly (p = 0.026) reduced from the 1st and 2nd to the 4th quarter (Δ = − 34% and − 23%, respectively) during the 3v3, while no decrement was found in the 5v5. A downward trend over time was observed for TD (p = 0.088), HIR (p = 0.060) and sprinting (p = 0.085). Players covered more distance > 80% PST-CAR during the 3v3 first quarter (p = 0.009). RPE was affected by player number and bout duration (p < 0.0001), with higher RPE during 3v3 and 1 × 20 min conditions. Significantly more successful passes, contacts with the ball, ball involvement, goals scored and shots on target were achieved during 3v3.

Conclusions

Shorter bout duration elicited greater TD and distance > 80% PST-CAR. A combined influence of player number and period of the game on high-intensity activities was evident. The RPE was significantly influenced by the player number and bout duration. The 5v5 elicited less successful technical outcomes. The 3v3 may be useful for work-rate enhancement and integrated training.

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Funding

This research received financial support through CAPES master fellowship and CNPQ for equipments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center for Development of Football and Futsal, Sports Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Campus Universitário-Trindade, Florianópolis, SC, CEP: 88040-900, Brazil

    Chellsea Hortêncio Alcântara, Anderson Santiago Teixeira, Rodrigo Mendonça Teixeira, Gabriel de Oliveira Dutra & Juliano Fernandes da Silva

  2. Physical Effort Laboratory, Sports Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

    Anderson Santiago Teixeira

  3. Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, University Gabriele d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy

    Fábio Yuzo Nakamura

  4. The College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, Douglas, QLD, Australia

    Fábio Yuzo Nakamura

  5. Associate Graduate Program in Physical Education UPE/UFPB, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil

    Fábio Yuzo Nakamura

  6. Fitness Training and Biomechanics Laboratory, Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Technical Department, Coverciano, Florence, Italy

    Carlo Castagna

  7. University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy

    Carlo Castagna

Authors
  1. Chellsea Hortêncio Alcântara
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  2. Anderson Santiago Teixeira
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  4. Gabriel de Oliveira Dutra
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  5. Fábio Yuzo Nakamura
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  6. Carlo Castagna
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  7. Juliano Fernandes da Silva
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Correspondence to Chellsea Hortêncio Alcântara.

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The authors declare no conflict interest.

IRB approval

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the local university (46455015.3.0000.0121) and appropriate standards for human experimentation have been followed.

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All the participants were informed of the research procedures, requirements, benefits, and risks before giving written informed consent (parents) and assent (players).

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Alcântara, C.H., Teixeira, A.S., Teixeira, R.M. et al. Manipulation of number of players and bouts duration in small-sided games in youth soccer players. Sport Sci Health 17, 597–605 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-020-00715-6

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