High-intensity demands of 6-a-side small-sided games and 11-a-side matches in youth soccer players

Purpose. The purposes of the present study were to examine: high-intensity running distance during 6-a-side small-sided games (SSGs) and 11-a-side matches (11M) in youth soccer players using speed and metabolic power approaches and; the magnitude of difference between high-intensity running distance calculated with the two approaches. Method. Eleven outfield players (age = 16.3 ± 0.6 years) performed SSGs with three pitch sizes (small SSG (SSGS), medium SSG (SSGM) and large SSG (SSGL)) and 11M. A Global Positioning System (15 Hz) was employed to calculate total distance covered, distance covered at a speed ≥ 4.3 m∙s-1 (TS) and metabolic power of ≥ 20 W·kg-1 (TP). Results. The total distance covered increased from SSGS through to SSGL (P < 0.001) and was greater during 11M and SSGL compared to other SSGs (P < 0.01). TS and TP increased from SSGS (TS vs. TP = 98 ± 55 vs. 547 ± 181 m) through to SSGL (538 ± 167 vs. 1050 ± 234 m, P < 0.001). TS and TP during 11M (370 ± 122 vs. 869 ± 233 m) was greater than SSGS (P < 0.001 for both) and less than SSGL (P < 0.05 for both). The magnitude of difference between TS and TP (%) reduced with an increase in pitch size during SSGs and was greater in SSGS (615 ± 404%, P < 0.001) and SSGM (195 ± 76%, P < 0.05) and smaller in SSGL (102 ± 33%, P < 0.01) compared to 11M (145 ± 53%). Conclusion. SSGs can replicate the high-intensity demands of 11M and the speed approach underestimates high-intensity demands of SSGs and 11M compared to the metabolic power approach.