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Int J Sports Med 2014; 35(04): 286-292
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1351333
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Physical and Technical Comparisons between Various-Sided Games within Professional Soccer

A. L. Owen
1   Sheffield United Football Club, Sheffield, United Kingdom
,
D. P. Wong
2   Human Performance Laboratory, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, China
,
D. Paul
3   Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Aspetar, Doha, Qatar
,
A. Dellal
4   Santy Orthopedic Clinic, Sport Science and Research Department, Lyon, France
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 26 June 2013

Publication Date:
10 September 2013 (online)

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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.

Key words

football - aerobic - technical actions - fitness training - heart rate
 

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