Sex Influences the Extent of Physical Performance Adaptations in Response to Small-Sided Games and Running-Based High-Intensity Interval Training: A Parallel Study Design Involving Men and Women Soccer Players

The aim of this study was two-fold: (i) to compare physical fitness adaptations following small-sided games (SSG) and running-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT), considering sex interactions; and (ii) to describe intra-individual variations of adaptations in both men and women developmental/trained soccer players over an 8-week randomized parallel study design involving 25 women and 27 men. Pre and post-intervention assessments included countermovement jump (CMJ), 10-meter linear sprint test, change-of-direction (COD) deficit, and final velocity at 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (VIFT). Significant interactions between time, groups and sex were found in 10-m sprint (F1,48 = 6.042; p = 0.018; ηp2 = 0.112). No significant interactions between time, groups and sex were found in CMJ (F F1,48 = 0.609; p = 0.439; ηp2 = 0.013), COD deficit (F F1,48 = 2.718; p = 0.106; ηp2 = 0.054) and VIFT (F F1,48 = 1.141; p = 0.291; ηp2 = 0.023). Significant interactions were found between time and sex in CMJ (F F1,48 = 29.342; p < 0.001; ηp2= 0.379), 10-m sprint (F F1,48 = 4.359; p = 0.042; ηp2 = 0.083), COD deficit (F F1,48 = 5.066; p = 0.029; ηp2= 0.095) and VIFT (F F1,48 = 11.248; p = 0.002; ηp2 = 0.190). In conclusion, this study suggests similar effects of HIIT in both sexes. However, for women, SSG may entail less efficacy and more inter-individual variability compared to men. Therefore, HIIT could potentially be a better solution for women, whereas both training approaches were equally effective in men.

Testing the peak running speed in analytical and contextual-based scenarios: Applied research in young adult soccer players

The primary aim was to compare the peak running speed (PRS) attained in the 40-m linear sprint test, in an analytical-based soccer drill, in the 5-0-5 test, and a training match scenario. The secondary aim of the study was to evaluate the differences between the three assessment sessions and identify how the tests can vary from session to session. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the within-test variability to understand how consistent the performance is within each test format across the different sessions. Forty male under-19 players competing at the national level participated in this study. A training session was observed for each of the three study weeks in which the following tests/scenarios were monitored using a GPS. The 40-m linear sprint test and the analytical-based soccer drill presented the smallest within-subject coefficients of variation between the sessions. A large correlation (r = 0.742) was found between the PRS during the 40-m linear sprint test and the analytical-based soccer drill. The 40-m linear sprint test was the best method of those examined for measuring PRS. The analytical drill provides a reliable method for measuring PRS, although it differs from the 40-metre linear sprint test.

Linear and Change of Direction Repeated Sprint Ability Tests: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Kyles, A, Oliver, JL, Cahill, MJ, Lloyd, RS, and Pedley, J. Linear and change of direction repeated sprint ability tests: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res 37(8): 1703-1717, 2023-The ability to repeatedly sprint is important in many sports, but there is no established protocol for measuring repeated sprint ability (RSA). The purpose of this review was to identify overground RSA protocols previously reported in the literature and to recommend standardized protocols. A systematic review of the literature was used to identify studies that have used an RSA test, with data describing protocol design extracted. One hundred eight studies were included in the review, across which 47 unique protocols were identified. Eighteen protocols included at least one change of direction (COD), and this increased mean sprint time compared with linear RSA tests (7.26 ± 1.84 vs. 4.48 ± 1.02 seconds). There was considerable variability across protocols regarding sprint distance (20-40 m), sprint repetitions (3-15), recovery duration (10-60 seconds), recovery type (active vs. passive), and work-to-rest ratio (≤1:1.4-19.2). Separate protocols are needed for linear and COD tests, and these should reflect the brief nature of intense periods of competition and stress the ability to recover. Based on data across studies for protocol design and to ensure a demanding work-to-rest ratio, it is suggested that a linear RSA should comprise 6 × 30 m sprints separated by 15 seconds of active recovery. To provide some parity to linear tests, to keep work duration brief and to maintain a demanding work-to-rest ratio, a COD RSA should comprise 6 × 30 m shuttle sprints (15 + 15 m), providing one change of direction (180° COD), and maintaining a 15-second active recovery.

Testing the effects of 4-week training programs based on extreme and medium-sided soccer games: a study focusing on change-of-direction, vertical jump height and locomotor profile

AIM

This study tested the effects of two training programs (one program based on extreme sided-games of 1v1 vs. one program based on the medium-sided game of 5v5) on the physical fitness adaptations of youth soccer players. In specific, it was analyzed the effects of the training programs on the 5-0-5 change-of-direction time (5-0-5 time), countermovement jump (CMJ), and final velocity in the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness test (VIFT).

METHODS

This study followed a randomized parallel study design. Twenty male regional-level soccer players (age: 17.0 ± 0.3 years old) were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) the 1v1 format; and (2) the 5v5 format. The training intervention lasted four weeks. The week before (baseline) and the week after the intervention, the participants were assessed in the 5-0-5 change-of-direction test (measured using timing gates), CMJ (measured by photoelectric cells), and 30-15 Intermittent Fitness test. The training intervention consisted of 8 sessions (2 sessions per week). The 1v1 group performed four repetitions of 30 s in each session, while the 5v5 group performed four repetitions of 4 min.

RESULTS

The 5-0-5 time changed - 4.82% (p = 0.004; d = 1.115) for the 1v1 group and - 4.26% (p = 0.004; d = 0.859) for the 5v5 group. CMJ changes occurred both in the 1v1 and 5v5 group and amounted to 1.7% (p = 0.003; d = 0.509) and 1.2% (p = 0.263; d = 0.155) respectively. VIFT changed 2.6% (p = 0.718; d = 0.178) for the 1v1 group and 3.0% (p = 0.593; d = 0.274) for the 5v5 group. The 1v1 group reported significantly lower post-intervention 5-0-5 time than the 5v5 group (- 4.3%; p = 0.048; d = 0.954), although no significant differences in CMJ (3.2%; p = 0.147; d = 0.678) and VIFT (2.5%; p = 0.697; d = 0.177) were revealed.

CONCLUSIONS

The extreme-sided games meaningfully beneficiated the vertical jump height and change-of-direction performance of youth soccer players. The extreme-sided games seem more beneficial than medium-sided games for improving these physical abilities while showing that four weeks were enough to impact the players significantly.

Physical Impact of a Typical Training Session with Different Volumes on the Day Preceding a Match in Academy Soccer Players

French academies almost all implement reactivity drills and small-sided games (SSG) the day preceding a match (MD-1). The present study aimed to determine the physical impact of different training durations on MD-1 on the subsequent matchday performance (MD). Eleven elite U19 academy soccer players conducted three typical training sessions lasting 45 min (TS45), 60 min (TS60) and 75 min (TS75) on MD-1. During TS60, warm-up, reactivity and SSG were 10, 15 and 24 min, respectively, plus coaches' feedback or water breaks. Durations of all training components decreased by 25% for TS45 and increased by 25% for TS75. Tests were conducted on MD-4 (CONTROL) and MD before the match (TEST). Tests consisted of a counter movement jump (CMJ), 20 m sprint, Illinois agility test (IAT) and Hooper questionnaire. CONTROL values were similar over the three experimental conditions. TEST on MD revealed greater CMJ for TS45 (42.7 ± 5.1 cm) compared to TS60 (40.5 ± 5.5 cm, p = 0.032) and TS75 (40.9 ± 5.7 cm, p = 0.037). 20 m time was lower for TS45 (3.07 ± 0.10 s, p < 0.001) and TS60 (3.13 ± 0.10 s, p = 0.017) compared to TS75 (3.20 ± 0.10 s). IAT time was lower on TS45 (14.82 ± 0.49 s) compared to TS60 (15.43 ± 0.29 s, p < 0.001) and TS75 (15.24 ± 0.33 s, p = 0.006). Furthermore, the Hooper index was lower at TEST for TS45 (7.64 ± 1.50) compared to TS60 (11.00 ± 3.49, p = 0.016) and TS75 (9.73 ± 2.41, p = 0.016), indicating a better readiness level. We concluded that, as training session duration increases, performance decreases on MD. A 45 min training session including reactivity and SSG exercises is therefore recommended on MD-1.