Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil | [b] University of Fortaleza, Fortaleza, Brazil | [c] Faculdade Terra Nordeste, Caucaia, Brazil | [d] Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Health Science Center, Natal, Brazil | [e] Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Pernambuco, Pernambuco, Brazil
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Arnaldo Luis Mortatti, Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Av. Senador Salgado Filho, 3000 – Lagoa Nova, CEP 59090-315, Natal, RN, Brazil. Tel.: +55 84 9 96068885; E-mail: amortatti@ufrnet.br.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Small-sided games (SSG) are widely used in soccer due its potential to improve technical, tactical and physical performance. Different approaches are used to modify physical demands during SSG. Despite this, little is known about the impact of rule modifications on the internal load imposed to young soccer players. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the magnitude of the internal load imposed on young soccer players between small-sided soccer games with different amounts of goals. METHODS: Sixteen male athletes (15.7 ± 0.43 years, 64 ± 7 kg, 1.71 ± 0.05 m, 21.8 ± 1.7 kg/m2) performed a SSG with one goal (SSG1goal) and three goals (SSG3goal) in a randomized order separated by 48 hours. The markers of internal load were: i) percentage of maximum heart rate (%HR)max, ii) Edward’s Training Impulse (TRIMP), and iii) performance on the repeated sprint ability (RSA) test immediately post-SSG. Paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA were used to compare the direct (i.e. Edward’s TRIMP and HRmax) and indirect (i.e. RSA) markers of internal load between the different SSG formats. A p-value < 0.05 was set as statistically significant. RESULTS: HRmax was higher in the SSG1goal compared to the SSG3goal (91 ± 2% vs. 89 ± 3%; p< 0.05). No difference was found in the Edward’s TRIMP (SSG1goal: 86.4 ± 15.7 arbitrary units; SSG3goals: 78.2 ± 12.8 arbitrary units; p= 0.15). Performance on the RSA test was worse post-SSG1goal compared to the post-SSG3goals (p< 0.01). SSG1goal elicits a higher internal load than SSG3goals. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the amount of goals in SSG may impact the internal load imposed on young soccer players.
Keywords: Sports, physiological monitoring, heart rate, young player, sport performance
