The Effect of Differently Designed Small-Sided Games in Soccer on Physical And Physiological Parameters

Year 2025, Volume: 9 Issue: 3, 516 - 527, 30.09.2025

Murat Tutar

https://doi.org/10.30621/jbachs.1670006

Abstract

Purpose: The study investigated between the physical and physiological effects of differently designed sided games in soccer; total of 28 male soccer players with an average age of 18.2±0.77 years participated in the study. Material and Methods: Two different study groups took part in this study: consisted of Smal Side (SSG) 35 × 25 m and Long Side (LSG) 60 × 45 m fields. Endurance training was performed 2 days a week for 8 weeks. Results: When the post test results between the groups were analyzed, not significant main effect y balance test score F (1, 24) = 34.32, p = 0.060, ηp2= 0.007. The statistically significant effect respectively; sprint F (1.24) = 19.60, p = < .001, ηp2= 0.450, IFT; F (1.24) = 44.68, p = < .001, ηp2= 0.65, T-test F(1.24) = 16.72, p = < .001, ηp2 = 0.411 and RPE F(1.24) = 7.32, p = 0.012, ηp2 = 0.234 values. Conclusion: The recommended that coaches should implement SSG exercises 2 times a week in their routine soccer exercise programmes to improve physical and physiological performance during the season.

Keywords

small side games , maximum oxygen consumption , balance , performance , aerobic endurance , ability , sprint

The Effect of Differently Designed Small-Sided Games in Soccer on Physical And Physiological Parameters

Abstract

References

• Arslan E, Orer G, Clemente F. 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. Biology of Sport 2020;37(2):165-173.
• Özdemir E, Çoknaz H, Şener S, Özgen U, Gök A. Protective Effects Of Lupeol On Acute Exercise-Related Oxidative Stress in Male Rats. Journal Of Research İn Pharmacy 2024;28(6):2008-2016.
• Rudarlı G, Tutar M, Kayıtken B. Effects of Different Endurance Training Models on Players’ Fitness Levels During the National Break in the Football Season. Acta Kinesiologica 2024;18(3):69-77.
• Tutar M, Genc S, Cağlayan A, Gunay E. Acute sprint performance responses to velocity-based versus traditional post activation performance enhancement interventions. PLoS ONE 2025;20(9).
• Di Salvo et al. Sprinting analysis of elite soccer players during European Champions League and UEFA Cup matches. Journal of Sports Sciences 2010;28(14):1489-1494.
• Reilly T, Howe T, Hanchard N. Injury prevention and rehabilitation. Science and Soccer. Routledge; 2003.p.144-155.
• Casamichana D, Castellano J. Time-motion, heart rate, perceptual and motor behaviour demands in small-sided soccer games: Effects of pitch size. Journal of Sports Sciences 2010;28(14):1615-1623.
• Rampinini E, Coutts A, Castagna C, Sassi R, Impellizzeri F. Variation in top level soccer match performance. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 2007;28(12):1018-1024.
• Hendry D, Williams A, Hodges N. Coach ratings of skills and their relations to practice, play and successful transitions from youth-elite to adult-professional status in soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences 2018;36(17):2009-2017.
• Castillo D, Raya-González J, Yanci J, Clemente F. Influence of pitch size on short-term high intensity actions and body impacts in soccer sided games. Journal of Human Kinetics 2021;78(1):87-196.
• ⁠Köklü Y, Albayrak M, Keysan H, Alemdaroğlu U, Dellal A. Improvement of the physical conditioning of young soccer players by playing small-sided games on different pitch size-special reference to physiological responses. Kinesiology 2013;45(1):41-47.
• Owen A, Wong D, McKenna M, Dellal A. Heart rate responses and technical comparison between small-vs. large-sided games in elite professional soccer. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2011;25(8):2104-2110.
• F. Dolci, N. H. Hart, A. Kilding, P. Chivers, B. Piggott, and T. Spiteri, "Movement economy in soccer: current data and limita-tions," Sports 2018;6(4),:124.
• Hammami M, Negra Y, Billaut F, Hermassi S, Shephard R, Chelly M. Effects of lower-limb strength training on agility, repeated sprinting with changes of direction, leg peak power, and neuromuscular adaptations of soccer players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2018;32(1):37-47.
• ⁠Gaudino P, Alberti G, Iaia F. Estimated metabolic and mechanical demands during different small-sided games in elite soccer players. Human Movement Science 2014;36(1):123-133.
• Aguiar M, Botelho G, Lago C, Maças V, Sampaio J. A review on the effects of soccer small-sided games. Journal of Human Kinetics 2012;33:103-113.
• Hill-Haas S, Dawson B, Impellizzeri F, Coutts A. Physiology of small-sided games training in football: a systematic review. Sports Medicine 2011;41:199-220.
• ⁠Mallo J, Navarro E. Physical load imposed on soccer players during small-sided training games. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 2008;48(2):166.
• Halouani J, Chtourou H, Gabbett T, Chaouachi A, Chamari K. Small-sided games in team sports training: a brief review. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2014;28(12);3594-3618.
• Sarmento H, Anguera M, Pereira A, Araújo D. Talent identification and development in male football: A systematic review. Sports Medicine 2018;48:907-931.
• Engquist K, Smith C, Chimera N, Warren M. Performance comparison of student-athletes and general college students on the functional movement screen and the Y balance test. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2015;29(8):2296-2303.
• Gribble P, Hertel J. Effect of lower-extremity muscle fatigue on postural control. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2004;85(4);589-592.
• Buchheit M. The 30-15 intermittent fitness test: accuracy for individualizing interval training of young intermittent sport players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2008;22(2):365-374.
• Günay E, Özçelik R, Mancı E, Çetinkaya C, Bediz C. For a Higher Sprint Running Performance, in Which Part of the Warm-Up Protocol Should the Dynamic Stretching Phase be Applied?. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise 2023;25(1):27-34.
• Borg G. Ratings of perceived exertion and heart rates during short-term cycle exercise and their use in a new cycling strength test. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 1982;3(3):153-158.
• Kaufmann J, Schering A. Analysis of variance ANOVA. Wiley Encyclopedia of Clinical Trials; 2007.
• Dellal A, Chamari K, Owen A, Wong D, Lago-Penas C, Hill-Haas S. Influence of technical instructions on the physiological and physical demands of small-sided soccer games. European Journal of Sport Science 2011;11(5):341-346.
• Köklü Y, Asçi A, Koçak F, Alemdaroglu U, Dündar U. Comparison of the physiological responses to different small-sided games in elite young soccer players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2011;25(6):1522-1528.
• Brandes M, Heitmann A, Müller L. Physical responses of different small-sided game formats in elite youth soccer players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2012;26(5):1353-1360.
• Hill-Haas S, Rowsell G, Dawson B, Coutts A. Acute physiological responses and time-motion characteristics of two small-sided training regimes in youth soccer players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2009;23(1):111-115.
• Karahan M. Effect of Skill-Based Training vs. Small-Sided Games on Physical Performance Improvement in Young Soccer Players. Biology of Sport 2020;37(3):305-312.
• Pantelić S, Rađa A, Erceg M, Milanović Z, Trajković N, Stojanović E, Randers M. Relative pitch area plays an im-portant role in movement pattern and intensity in recreational male football. Biology of Sport 2019;36(2):119-124.
• Mcmillan K, Helgerud J, Macdonald R, Hoff J. Physiological adaptations to soccer specific endurance training in proffessional youth soccer players. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2005;39(5):273-277.
• Helgerud J, Rodas G, Kemi O, Hoff J. Strength and endurance in elite football players. International Journal of Sports Medicine 2011;32(9):677-682.
• Los Arcos A, Vazquez J, Martín J, Lerga, Sanchez F, Villagra F, Zulueta J. Effects of small-sided games vs. interval training in aerobic fitness and physical enjoyment in young elite soccer players. PloS One 2015;10(9):1-10.
• Trombiero D, Praça G, Borges E, Lira C, Leonardi T, Laporta L, Costa T. Analysis of physiological, physical, and tactical responses in small-sided games in women's soccer: The effect of numerical superiority. Applied Sciences 2023;13(14):8380.
• Akdoğan E, Yılmaz İ, Köklü Y, Alemdaroğlu U, Cerrah A. The effect of isolated or combined small-sided games and speed endurance training on physical performance parameters in young soccer players. Kinesiology 2021;53(1):78-85.
• Böge V, Kaplan T, Taşkın H. Investigation of agility performance in some anthropometric variables for young male soccer players. Turkish Journal of Sport and Exercise, 2022,;23(2):216-222.
• ⁠Helgerud J, Engen L, Wisløff U, Hoff N. Aerobic endurance training improves soccer performance. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 2001;33(11):1925-1931.
• Krustrup P, Christensen J, Randers M, Pedersen H, Sundstrup E, Jakobsen M, Bangsbo J. Muscle adaptations and performance enhancements of soccer training for untrained men. European Journal of Applied Physiology 2010;108:1247-1258.
• Paul D, Marques J, Nassis G. The effect of a concentrated period of soccer-specific fitness training with small-sided games on physical fitness in youth players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness, 2019;59(6):962-968.
• Chaouachi A, Chtara M, Hammami R, Chtara H, Turki O, Castagna C. Multidirectional sprints and small-sided games training effect on agility and change of direction abilities in youth soccer. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2014;28(11):3121-3127.
• Davies M, Young W, Farrow D, Bahnert A. Comparison of agility demands of small-sided games in elite Australian football. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 2013;8(2):139-147.
• ⁠Dellal A, Chamari K, Pintus A, Girard O, Cotte T, Keller D. Heart rate responses during small-sided games and short intermittent running training in elite soccer players: a comparative study. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2008;22(5);1449-1457.
• Radziminski L, Rompa P, Barnat W, Dargiewicz R, Jastrzebski Z. A comparison of the physiological and technical effects of high-intensity running and small-sided games in young soccer players. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching 2013;8(3):455-466.
• Chelly M, Fathloun M, Cherif N, Amar M, Tabka Z, Van Praagh E. Effects of a back squat training program on leg power, jump, and sprint performances in junior soccer players. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2009;23(8):2241-2249.