Jesús V Giménez1, Juan Del-Coso2, Anthony S Leicht3, Miguel-Ángel Gomez4. 1. Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain. 2. Laboratory of Exercise Physiology, Camilo José Cela University, Madrid, Spain. 3. Faculty of Sport and Exercise Science, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia. 4. Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain - miguelangel.gomez.ruano@upm.es.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this investigation was to compare the movement patterns of professional soccer players during a small-sided game (SSG), a large-sided game (LSG), and a competitive friendly match (FM). METHODS: Fourteen professional players participated in three training routines with a similar relative pitch area per player. The SSG and LSG consisted of 8 repetitions of 4-min game play, interspersed by 2 minutes of active recovery, and their data were compared to the first 32 minutes of a FM. All movement patterns from walking to sprint running were recorded using 10-Hz GPS devices while player perception of exertion was recorded via visual analogue scale, post-trial. RESULTS: Total running distance (3852±405 vs. 3359±429 and 3088±414 m), running distance at 5-6.9 m/s (222±98 vs. 75±53 and 49±35 m) and maximal running speed (7.0±0.7 vs. 6.1±0.4 and 6.0±0.7 m/s) were significantly greater during FM than for SSG and LSG. However, the number of accelerations (462±16 vs. 458±12 vs. 422±15) and decelerations (733±31 vs. 692±24 vs. 609±27), and the rating of perceived exertion (8±1 vs. 7±1 vs. 5±1) were significantly greater during SSG compared to LSG and FM. CONCLUSIONS: Although smaller game-based training routines do not replicate exactly the movement patterns of a competitive match, they can increase the execution of short-term and high-intensity movements for specialized training in professional soccer players.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this investigation was to compare the movement patterns of professional soccer players during a small-sided game (SSG), a large-sided game (LSG), and a competitive friendly match (FM). METHODS: Fourteen professional players participated in three training routines with a similar relative pitch area per player. The SSG and LSG consisted of 8 repetitions of 4-min game play, interspersed by 2 minutes of active recovery, and their data were compared to the first 32 minutes of a FM. All movement patterns from walking to sprint running were recorded using 10-Hz GPS devices while player perception of exertion was recorded via visual analogue scale, post-trial. RESULTS: Total running distance (3852±405 vs. 3359±429 and 3088±414 m), running distance at 5-6.9 m/s (222±98 vs. 75±53 and 49±35 m) and maximal running speed (7.0±0.7 vs. 6.1±0.4 and 6.0±0.7 m/s) were significantly greater during FM than for SSG and LSG. However, the number of accelerations (462±16 vs. 458±12 vs. 422±15) and decelerations (733±31 vs. 692±24 vs. 609±27), and the rating of perceived exertion (8±1 vs. 7±1 vs. 5±1) were significantly greater during SSG compared to LSG and FM. CONCLUSIONS: Although smaller game-based training routines do not replicate exactly the movement patterns of a competitive match, they can increase the execution of short-term and high-intensity movements for specialized training in professional soccer players.