Int J Sports Med 2024; 45(08): 616-623
DOI: 10.1055/a-2286-3914
Training & Testing

Influence of the Number of Players on the Load of Soccer Players During Transition Games

Jose A. Asian-Clemente
1   Department of Sport Sciences, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
3   Football Science Institute, FSI lab, Granada, Spain
,
Alberto Rabano-Muñoz
1   Department of Sport Sciences, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
3   Football Science Institute, FSI lab, Granada, Spain
,
Bernardo Requena
3   Football Science Institute, FSI lab, Granada, Spain
,
Luis Suarez-Arrones
1   Department of Sport Sciences, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
2   FC Lugano, Performance Departament, Lugano, Switzerland
3   Football Science Institute, FSI lab, Granada, Spain
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the effect of different compositions in transition games (TGs) on the load of soccer players and to evaluate their performance in physical tests. Using a GPS system, 18 players were monitored during: 3vs2, 2vs1 and 1vs1. Distance covered (DC), DC 18–20.9 km·h-1, 21–23.9 km·h-1,>24 km·h-1, peak speed, accelerations (Acc) and decelerations (Dec)>1.0 m·s-2 and>2.5 m·s-2 and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded. Before and after each TG, countermovement-jump (CMJ), 15- (S15) and 30 m (S30) speed tests were assessed. TG3vs2 showed greater DC and Dec>1.0 m·s-2 than TG2vs1, and DC, DC 18.0–23.9 km·h-1, Acc>1.0 m·s-2 and Dec>2.5 m·s-2 than TG1vs1 (p<0.01). TG2vs1 achieved higher DC, DC 18.0–23.9 km·h-1, and Acc>2.5 m·s-2 (p<0.01) but lower peak speed (p=0.02) and RPE (p=0.02) than TG1vs1. Post-intervention, TG1vs1 showed lower CMJ and higher S15 (p=0.02), while TG3vs2, showed improvements in CMJ (p<0.01). The three tasks showed large variations for DC>24 km·h-1, Acc>1.0 m·s-2, Dec>1.0 m·s-2 and Dec>2.5 m·s-2. The load of TGs is sensitive to their player composition.



Publication History

Received: 29 January 2024

Accepted: 12 March 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
12 March 2024

Article published online:
22 April 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 
  • References

  • 1 Paul DJ, Bradley PS, Nassis GP. Factors Affecting Match Running Performance of Elite Soccer Players: Shedding Some Light on the Complexity. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2015; 10: 516-519
  • 2 Bradley PS, Ade JD. Are Current Physical Match Performance Metrics in Elite Soccer Fit for Purpose or Is the Adoption of an Integrated Approach Needed?. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2018; 13: 656-664
  • 3 Bradley PS, Di Mascio M, Peart D. et al. High-Intensity Activity Profiles of Elite Soccer Players at Different Performance Levels. J Strength Cond Res 2010; 24: 2343-2351
  • 4 Di Salvo V, Baron R, González-Haro C. et al. Sprinting analysis of elite soccer players during European Champions League and UEFA Cup matches. J Sports Sci 2010; 28: 1489-1494
  • 5 Stolen T, Chamari K, Castagna C. et al. Physiology of Soccer. Sports Medicine 2005; 35: 501-536
  • 6 Buchheit M, Simpson BM, Hader K. et al. Occurrences of near-to-maximal speed-running bouts in elite soccer: Insights for training prescription and injury mitigation. Sci Med Footb 2021; 5: 105-110
  • 7 Beato M, Drust B, Dello IA. Implementing High-speed Running and Sprinting Training in Professional Soccer. Int J Sports Med 2021; 42: 295-299
  • 8 Faude O, Koch T, Meyer T. Straight sprinting is the most frequent action in goal situations in professional football. J Sports Sci 2012; 30: 625-631
  • 9 Asian-Clemente J, Rabano-Munoz A, Requena B. et al. Effects of Bout Duration on Load, Sprint, and Jump Ability During a One-on-one Transition Task. Int J Sports Med 2023; 44: 568-575
  • 10 Asian-Clemente JA, Rabano-Muñoz A, Suarez-Arrones L. et al. Different pitch configurations constrain the external and internal loads of young professional soccer players during transition games. Biol Sport 2023; 40: 1047-1055
  • 11 Asian-Clemente JA, Rabano-Muñoz A, Requena B. et al. High-speed Training in a Specific Context in Soccer: Transition Games. Int J Sports Med 2022; 43: 881-888
  • 12 Lago-Ballesteros J, Lago-Peñas C, Rey E. The effect of playing tactics and situational variables on achieving score-box possessions in a professional soccer team. J Sports Sci 2012; 30: 1455-1461
  • 13 Asian-Clemente JA, Rabano-Muñoz A, Suarez-Arrones L. et al. Analysis of Differences in Running Demands between Official Matches and Transition Games of Young Professional Soccer Players according to the Playing Position. J Hum Kinet 2024; DOI: 10.5114/jhk/175339.
  • 14 Asian-Clemente JA, Rabano-Muñoz A, Nuñez FJ. et al. External and internal load during small-sided games in soccer: Use or not floaters. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2022; 62: 301-307
  • 15 Halouani J, Chtourou H, Gabbett T. et al. Small-Sided Games in Team Sports Training. J Strength Cond Res 2014; 28: 3594-3618
  • 16 Clemente F, Wong DP, Martins F. et al. Acute Effects of the Number of Players and Scoring Method on Physiological, Physical, and Technical Performance in Small-sided Soccer Games. Research in Sports Medicine 2014; 22: 380-397
  • 17 Harriss DJ, Jones C, MacSween A. Ethical Standards in Sport and Exercise Science Research: 2022 Update. Int J Sports Med 2022; 43: 1065-1070
  • 18 Hopkins W, Marshall S, Batterham A. et al. Progressive Statistics for Studies in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009; 41: 3-12
  • 19 Hopkins W. Spreadsheets for analysis of validity and reliability. Sportscience 2015; 19: 36-44
  • 20 Gaudino P, Alberti G, Iaia FM. Estimated metabolic and mechanical demands during different small-sided games in elite soccer players. Hum Mov Sci 2014; 36: 123-133
  • 21 Riboli A, Esposito F, Coratella G. Technical and locomotor demands in elite soccer: Manipulating area per player during small-sided games to replicate official match demands. Biol Sport 2023; 40: 639-647
  • 22 Asín-Izquierdo I, Gutiérrez-García L, Galiano C. Application of technology for the analysis of Small-Sided Games in football. From complexity to chaos in training design: Reference to number of players, playing space, orientation, time distribution, directionality with goalkeepers, and feedback. Proc Inst Mech Eng P J Sport Eng Technol 2023; DOI: 10.1177/17543371231175946.
  • 23 Nunes NA, Gonçalves B, Coutinho D. et al. How Numerical Unbalance Constraints Physical and Tactical Individual Demands of Ball Possession Small-Sided Soccer Games. Front Psychol 2020; 11: 1464
  • 24 Torres-Ronda L, Gonçalves B, Marcelino R. et al. Heart Rate, Time-Motion, and Body Impacts When Changing the Number of Teammates and Opponents in Soccer Small-Sided Games. J Strength Cond Res 2015; 29: 2723-2730
  • 25 Sampaio JE, Lago C, Gonçalves B. et al. Effects of pacing, status and unbalance in time motion variables, heart rate and tactical behaviour when playing 5-a-side football small-sided games. J Sci Med Sport 2014; 17: 229-233
  • 26 Gonçalves B, Marcelino R, Torres-Ronda L. et al. Effects of emphasising opposition and cooperation on collective movement behaviour during football small-sided games. J Sports Sci 2016; 34: 1346-1354
  • 27 Travassos B, Araújo D, Davids K. et al. Informational constraints shape emergent functional behaviours during performance of interceptive actions in team sports. Psychol Sport Exerc 2012; 13: 216-223
  • 28 Eston R. Use of Ratings of Perceived Exertion in Sports. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2012; 7: 175-182
  • 29 Billaut F, Bishop D. Muscle Fatigue in Males and Females during Multiple-Sprint Exercise. Sports Medicine 2009; 39: 257-278
  • 30 Mendez-Villanueva A, Edge J, Suriano R. et al. The Recovery of Repeated-Sprint Exercise Is Associated with PCr Resynthesis, while Muscle pH and EMG Amplitude Remain Depressed. PLoS One 2012; 7: e51977 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051977.
  • 31 Asian-Clemente J, Rabano-Muñoz A, Muñoz B. et al. Can Small-side Games Provide Adequate High-speed Training in Professional Soccer?. Int J Sports Med 2021; 42: 523-528
  • 32 Clemente FM, Rabbani A, Kargarfard M. et al. Session-To-Session Variations of External Load Measures of Youth Soccer Players in Medium-Sided Games. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16: 3612
  • 33 Clemente F, Aquino R, Praça GM. et al. Variability of internal and external loads and technical/tactical outcomes during small-sided soccer games: A systematic review. Biol Sport 2022; 39: 647-672
  • 34 Dello Iacono A, McLaren SJ, Macpherson TW. et al. Quantifying Exposure and Intra-Individual Reliability of High-Speed and Sprint Running During Sided-Games Training in Soccer Players: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Med 2023; 53: 371-413
  • 35 Clemente FM. The Threats of Small-Sided Soccer Games: A Discussion About Their Differences With the Match External Load Demands and Their Variability Levels. Strength Cond J 2020; 42: 100-105
  • 36 Vilar L, Esteves PT, Travassos B. et al. Varying Numbers of Players in Small-Sided Soccer Games Modifies Action Opportunities during Training. Int J Sports Sci Coach 2014; 9: 1007-1018