The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of number of players in small-sided games (SSG) on time-motion characteristics and physiological responses in young soccer players. Fourteen soccer players from a state-level youth soccer team (age 14.4 ± 0.5 years; body mass 56.2 ± 7.0 kg; height 1.7 ± 0.1 m; BMI 20.3 ± 1.4 kg∙m-2) performed two formats (3 vs. 3 e 7 vs. 7) of the SSG. Heart rate (HR), rating perceived exertion (RPE) and blood lactate ([La]) and physical demands were analyzed using a global positioning system (GPS). Although there were not statistical differences in distance covered at different zones between SSG formats, the total distance covered, distance covered at high-speed, the quantity of high-intensity activities and quantity of accelerations > 1.0 m∙s-2 were higher (p < 0.05) during SSG 3 vs. 3 (1794 m; 885 m; 69; 87, respectively) than SSG 7 vs. 7 (1663 m; 712 m; 57; 68). The percentage of maximal heart rate (HRmax), RPE and [La] were higher (p < 0.05) in the SSG 3 vs. 3 than in 7 vs. 7 (91.3%; 6.1 a.u.; 5.0 mmol∙L-1 vs. 85.1%; 5.1 a.u.; 2.1 mmol∙L-1, respectively). The results show that intensity is greater during SSG 3 vs. 3 than in 7 vs. 7; furthermore, the physical demand is influenced by the number of players per team, with higher total distance covered and distance at high-speed during SSG 3 vs. 3. The players also perform higher number of activities at high-intensity and accelerations during SSG 3 vs. 3.
Global positioning system; Aerobic training; Kinematic analysis; Athletic performance
