# Effects of Small-Sided Games Training versus High-Intensity Interval Training Approaches in Young Basketball Players

PMID: 35270619
Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Published: 2022 Mar 2
Authors: Arslan E, Kilit B, Clemente FM, Murawska-Ciałowicz E, Soylu Y, Sogut M, Akca F, Gokkaya M, Silva AF

## Question

How do basketball small-sided games and running-based HIIT compare for physical fitness, basketball skill, and psychophysiological responses in young basketball players?

## Summary

In 32 young male basketball players, 6 weeks of added HIIT running and basketball small-sided games both improved fitness and performance outcomes. Small-sided games produced greater improvements in basketball control-dribbling and shooting skills and higher enjoyment, while HIIT produced a greater 30 m sprint improvement and higher perceived exertion, mental effort, and internal training load.

## Population

- Male young basketball players from the same regional league team, allocated to small-sided games or HIIT.
- Sample size: 32
- Age: 14.5 +/- 0.5 years
- Sex: Male
- Fitness level: Young competitive basketball players
- Health status: Apparently healthy athletes

## Methodology

- Randomized matched-group parallel training study
- 6-week intervention within an 8-week testing and training schedule
- Regional league basketball team training environment
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Running-based HIIT.
- Modality: Intermittent track running.
- Work intervals: 15 seconds.
- Recovery: 15 seconds passive rest.
- Sets or repetitions: Session volume matched to the small-sided-games condition.
- Intensity: 90-95% of 30-15 IFT final velocity.
- Session duration: About 12-18 minutes after a 10-minute standardized warm-up.
- Frequency: 3 sessions per week with 2 days of rest between sessions.
- Program length: 6 weeks.
- Progression: Session duration increased across the intervention from about 12 to 18 minutes.
- Basketball small-sided games.
- Modality: Full-court 2-a-side basketball small-sided games.
- Work intervals: Small-sided-game bouts of about 10-18 total minutes per session.
- Recovery: 2 minutes passive rest between bouts.
- Sets or repetitions: Bouts organized to match HIIT training time.
- Intensity: Designed to elicit above 85% HRmax.
- Session duration: About 10-18 minutes after a 10-minute standardized warm-up.
- Frequency: 3 sessions per week with 2 days of rest between sessions.
- Program length: 6 weeks.
- Progression: Total game exposure increased across the intervention.

## Outcomes

### Main reported result
Status: mixed
Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in measured performance outcomes.

### Main reported result
Status: mixed
Small-sided games produced greater improvements in control dribbling and shooting than HIIT.

### Main reported result
Status: mixed
HIIT produced a greater 30 m sprint improvement than small-sided games.

### Main reported result
Status: mixed
RPE, mental effort, and internal training load were significantly higher in HIIT than small-sided games.

### Main reported result
Status: mixed
Enjoyment was significantly higher after small-sided games than after HIIT.

## Practical Insights

- Small-sided games may produce similar conditioning benefits while preserving sport skill practice and enjoyment.
- Running HIIT may be useful when linear sprint adaptation is the priority.
- Mental effort and internal load were higher in HIIT, so dose and recovery may need closer management.

## Limitations

- Small convenience sample from one team.
- No non-training control group.
- Short intervention period.
- Findings may not generalize beyond this age, sex, and training level.

## Safety And Adherence

- Dropouts or adverse events were not clearly reported in the extracted full-text sections.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35270619/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052931) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8910324/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.