Comparison of physiological and physical demands between small-sided games and official matches in youth football players

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to compare the physiological and physical demands between two spatial formats of small-sided games (SSGs) and competitive matches in youth football players. Method Fifteen U14 sub-elite players were monitored using WIMU PRO™ devices (Huddle, USA) during competition and training. The training involved two 7 vs. 7 SSGs formats: small (SSGs-S; 132 m 2 per player) and large (SSGs-L; 232 m 2 per player). Variables such as relative maximum heart rate (HR MAX ), total distance (TD), high-intensity running distance (HIRD), high-metabolic load distance (HMLD), maximum speed (Speed MAX ), average speed (Speed AVG ), and acceleration distance were evaluated. Results Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that players covered more TD, HIRD, and HMLD per minute during SSGs-L than in both competition and SSGs-S ( p < .01; effect size [ES] = .81, .76, .73, respectively). Competitive matches showed higher Speed MAX ( p < .01; ES = .93) and Speed AVG ( p < .01; ES = .84) compared to SSGs. Both SSGs formats exhibited higher distances covered in accelerations (> 2 m/s 2 ) than competitive matches ( p < .01; ES = .86). Conclusion This study emphasizes the importance for fitness coaches to manipulate pitch size during SSGs to replicate, increase or decrease physiological and physical demands relative to competitive conditions.