Effects of Small-Sided Games versus Traditional Endurance Training on Aerobic Capacity and Match Performance in Soccer Players
Keywords:
Small-Sided Games, Traditional Training, Soccer, Aerobic Capacity, Endurance Training, Yo-Yo IR1, Match Performance.Abstract
Background: The required fitness in soccer, is that of repeated high intensity efforts with good aerobic endurance and fitness for the game in the specific situation. Recently, Small sided games (SSGs) are gaining popularity due to the combination of physical conditioning and technical and tactical performance. Little evidence, however, exists to show their effectiveness versus traditional endurance training for players at the university level in soccer.
Methodology: The subjects were 30 male players at the University soccer team between the ages of 18 and 25 years who participated in a randomized controlled trial. The participants were randomly assigned to either a Small-Sided Games (SSG) group (n=15) or a Traditional Endurance Training (TE) group (n=15). The three groups received three training sessions per week for eight weeks. Aerobic capacity was measured by the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) and match performance was determined using total distance run and fitness scores. Data processing was done by SPSS 26 by performing paired and independent sample t-test.
Results: The intervention showed to lead to significant improvements in aerobic capacity and match performance. Yo-Yo IR1 scores improved significantly from 14.94±0.80 to 17.15±0.86 (p<0.001). Total distance covered increased from 2.99±0.39 km to 4.43±0.57 km (p<0.001), while fitness scores improved from 57.97±4.82 to 76.13±5.63 (p<0.001). But there was no significant difference between SSG group and TE group after the intervention (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Small sided games together with traditional endurance training, resulted in a significant increase of aerobic capacity and match performance in soccer players of the university level. Additional sport-specific benefits can be gained through the use of sport-specific, technical and tactical training alongside physiological conditioning by SSGs.
