TY - JOUR
T1 - Sequencing effects of small-sided games and high-intensity interval training on physical and physiological performance of young soccer players during pre-season
AU - Kharatzadeh, Masoud
AU - Morgans, Ryland
AU - Thapa, Rohit K.
AU - Oliveira, Rafael
AU - Faramarzi, Mohammad
PY - 2025/1/21
Y1 - 2025/1/21
N2 - Study aim: This experimental study investigated the sequencing effects of a small-sided games (SSG) protocol and highintensity interval training (HIIT) on the physical and physiological performance adaptation of soccer players, conducted over a fourteen-week of the pre-season. Materials and methods: Twenty-three young (aged 14 ±0.1 years) male soccer players from a club participating in nationallevel competitions were randomly divided into two groups (SSG + HIIT, n = 11 and HIIT + SSG, n = 12). The first group completed SSGs (5 vs. 5 + goalkeeper, 36 × 30 m) followed by HIIT (long interval at 60 to 75% of final velocity during 30–15 intermittent fitness test) training, while the second group performed HIIT training and then SSGs. Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention for 10 m linear sprint, body fat percentage, countermovement jump (CMJ), change of direction speed (CODS), squat jump (SJ), and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (Yo-Yo IR). Results: A significant main effect of time was reported for 10 m linear sprint, CMJ, CODS, SJ, and Yo-Yo IR (p ≤ 0.001–0.010, ηp2 = 0.32–0.74). However, no significant group × time interaction were reported for any dependent variables (p = 0.433–1.000, ηp2 ≤ 0.01–0.03). Conclusion: The sequencing order of HIIT and SSG does not affect the performance outcomes in young male soccer players. Moreover, similar improvements can be expected in the 10 m linear sprint, CMJ, CODS, SJ, and Yo-Yo IR, irrespective of the exercise order. However, caution should be taken when interpreting the within-group improvements, as the study did not include a control group.
AB - Study aim: This experimental study investigated the sequencing effects of a small-sided games (SSG) protocol and highintensity interval training (HIIT) on the physical and physiological performance adaptation of soccer players, conducted over a fourteen-week of the pre-season. Materials and methods: Twenty-three young (aged 14 ±0.1 years) male soccer players from a club participating in nationallevel competitions were randomly divided into two groups (SSG + HIIT, n = 11 and HIIT + SSG, n = 12). The first group completed SSGs (5 vs. 5 + goalkeeper, 36 × 30 m) followed by HIIT (long interval at 60 to 75% of final velocity during 30–15 intermittent fitness test) training, while the second group performed HIIT training and then SSGs. Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention for 10 m linear sprint, body fat percentage, countermovement jump (CMJ), change of direction speed (CODS), squat jump (SJ), and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (Yo-Yo IR). Results: A significant main effect of time was reported for 10 m linear sprint, CMJ, CODS, SJ, and Yo-Yo IR (p ≤ 0.001–0.010, ηp2 = 0.32–0.74). However, no significant group × time interaction were reported for any dependent variables (p = 0.433–1.000, ηp2 ≤ 0.01–0.03). Conclusion: The sequencing order of HIIT and SSG does not affect the performance outcomes in young male soccer players. Moreover, similar improvements can be expected in the 10 m linear sprint, CMJ, CODS, SJ, and Yo-Yo IR, irrespective of the exercise order. However, caution should be taken when interpreting the within-group improvements, as the study did not include a control group.
KW - Countermovement jump
KW - Aerobic fitness
KW - Football
KW - Acceleration
KW - Change of direction
U2 - 10.2478/bhk-2025-0001
DO - 10.2478/bhk-2025-0001
M3 - Article
SN - 2080-2234
VL - 17
SP - 1
EP - 12
JO - Biomedical Human Kinetics
JF - Biomedical Human Kinetics
IS - 1
ER -