Effects of small-sided games and running-based high-intensity interval training on body composition and physical fitness in under-19 female soccer players
Question
Do small-sided games and running-based HIIT produce different body composition and physical fitness adaptations in under-19 female soccer players during the preseason?
Summary
In 24 under-19 female soccer players, 8 weeks of added running-based HIIT or small-sided games produced broadly similar improvements in jumping, hopping, change-of-direction, and 30-15 IFT performance. HIIT showed within-group improvements in 10 m and 30 m sprinting, while small-sided games showed body mass and BMI reductions and may better match soccer-specific change-of-direction demands.
Methodology
- Under-19 female soccer players from the same Turkish team; soccer experience about 5.6 years.
- 24 participants.
- Linear running based on 30-15 IFT final velocity.
- Work intervals: 15 seconds.
- Recovery: 15 seconds passive rest, with 4 minutes between sets.
- Intensity: 90-95% of VIFT during work; rest intensity 0% VIFT.
- About 15-20 minutes after a 15-minute standardized warm-up.
- 3 sessions per week.
- 8 weeks.
- Matched randomized parallel-group training study
- Body mass and BMI, Countermovement jump, drop jump, single hop, triple hop, and crossover hop, 10 m and 30 m sprint, 5-0-5 change of direction, change-of-direction deficit, and 30-15 IFT final velocity were tracked.
Outcomes
Main reported result
There were no significant between-group post-intervention differences for any measured outcome.
Main reported result
Both groups improved countermovement jump, hop tests, 30-15 IFT final velocity, and change-of-direction outcomes.
Main reported result
HIIT improved 10 m and 30 m sprint times within group, while the small-sided games group did not show the same sprint changes.
Main reported result
Small-sided games reduced body mass and BMI within group, while HIIT did not.
Main reported result
Mean RPE was similar between small-sided games and HIIT, 8.5 +/- 0.3 vs 8.4 +/- 0.4, p = 0.702.
Main reported result
Adherence was high: 93.6% for small-sided games and 91.7% for HIIT.
Insights
- Short 15 s running intervals at 90-95% VIFT can be integrated after a structured warm-up without large time cost.
- Small-sided games may be preferable when the session goal is soccer-specific decision-making and change-of-direction exposure.
- Running HIIT may be preferable when the goal is linear sprint transfer.
Limitations
- Small single-team sample.
- Players had not trained during the prior season because of COVID-19 restrictions, so improvements may partly reflect return to training.
- External training intensity was not measured.
Safety
- One HIIT participant was removed because of an injury during the 8-week period; details and attribution were not reported.