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Effects of Small-Sided Games vs. Conventional Endurance Training on Endurance Performance in Male Youth Soccer Players: A Meta-Analytical Comparison

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Abstract

Background

Small-sided games have been suggested as a viable alternative to conventional endurance training to enhance endurance performance in youth soccer players. This has important implications for long-term athlete development because it suggests that players can increase aerobic endurance through activities that closely resemble their sport of choice.

Objectives

The objectives of this meta-analysis were to compare male youth soccer players’ adaptability to small-sided games vs. conventional endurance training and to establish exercise prescription guidelines for this population.

Data Sources

The data sources utilised were Google Scholar, PubMed and Microsoft Academic.

Study Eligibility Criteria

Studies were eligible for inclusion if interventions were carried out in male soccer players (aged < 18 years) and compared the effects of small-sided games and conventional endurance training on aerobic endurance performance. We defined small-sided games as “modified [soccer] games played on reduced pitch areas, often using adapted rules and involving a smaller number of players than traditional games”. We defined conventional endurance training as continuous running or extensive interval training consisting of work durations > 3 min.

Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods

The inverse-variance random-effects model for meta-analyses was used because it allocates a proportionate weight to trials based on the size of their individual standard errors and facilitates analysis whilst accounting for heterogeneity across studies. Effect sizes were represented by the standardised mean difference and presented alongside 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Seven studies were included in this meta-analysis. Both modes of training were effective in increasing endurance performance. Within-mode effect sizes were both of moderate magnitude [small-sided games: 0.82 (95% confidence interval 0.05, 1.60), Z = 2.07 (p = 0.04); conventional endurance training: 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.06, 1.72), Z = 2.10 (p = 0.04)]. There were only trivial differences [0.04 (95% confidence interval − 0.36, 0.43), Z = 0.18 (p = 0.86)] between the effects on aerobic endurance performance of small-sided games and conventional endurance training. Subgroup analyses showed mostly trivial differences between the training methods across key programming variables such as set duration (≥ or < 4 min) and recovery period between sets (≥ or < 3 min). Programmes that were longer than 8 weeks favoured small-sided games [effect size = 0.45 (95% confidence interval − 0.12, 1.02), Z = 1.54 (p = 0.12)], with the opposite being true for conventional endurance training [effect size = − 0.33 (95% confidence interval − 0.79, 0.14), Z = 1.39 (p = 0.16)]. Programmes with more than 4 sets per session favoured small-sided games [effect size = 0.53 (95% confidence interval − 0.52, 1.58), Z = 0.98 (p = 0.33)] with only a trivial difference between those with 4, or fewer, sets [effect size = − 0.13 (95% confidence interval − 0.52, 0.26), Z = 0.65 (p = 0.52)].

Conclusions

Small-sided games are as effective as conventional endurance training for increasing aerobic endurance performance in male youth soccer players. This is important for practitioners as it means that small-sided games can allow both endurance and skills training to be carried out simultaneously, thus providing a more efficient training stimulus. Small-sided games offer the same benefits as conventional endurance training with two sessions per week, with ≥ 4 sets of 4 min of activity, interspersed with recovery periods of 3 min, recommended in this population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sport, Hartpury University, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL19 3BE, UK

    Jason Moran, Benjamin Drury & John F. T. Fernandes

  2. Department of Sport and Exercise, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK

    Richard C. Blagrove

  3. Leicester City Football Club, Leicester, UK

    Kevin Paxton

  4. Division of Training and Movement Science, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany

    Helmi Chaabene

  5. High Institute of Sports and Physical Education, University of Jendouba, Kef, Tunisia

    Helmi Chaabene

  6. Department of Physical Activity Sciences, Research Nucleus in Health, Physical Activity and Sport, Laboratory of Measurement and Assessment in Sport, University of Los Lagos, Osorno, Chile

    Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo

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Correspondence to Jason Moran.

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Conflict of interest

Jason Moran, Richard C. Blagrove, Benjamin Drury, John F. T. Fernandes, Kevin Paxton, Helmi Chaabene and Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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Moran, J., Blagrove, R.C., Drury, B. et al. Effects of Small-Sided Games vs. Conventional Endurance Training on Endurance Performance in Male Youth Soccer Players: A Meta-Analytical Comparison. Sports Med 49, 731–742 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01086-w

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