# Effects of small-sided games and running-based high-intensity interval training on body composition and physical fitness in under-19 female soccer players

PMID: 35765044
Journal: BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation
Published: 2022 Jun 28
Authors: Nayıroğlu S, Yılmaz AK, Silva AF, Silva R, Nobari H, Clemente FM

## 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.

## Population

- Under-19 female soccer players from the same Turkish team; soccer experience about 5.6 years.
- Sample size: 24
- Age: 18.63 +/- 2.36 years
- Sex: Female
- Fitness level: Competitive under-19 soccer players
- Health status: Apparently healthy athletes; one HIIT participant removed after injury

## Methodology

- Matched randomized parallel-group training study
- 8-week intervention within a 10-week preseason testing and training period
- Turkish Second Women Football League team during the 2021-2022 preseason
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Running-based HIIT.
- Modality: Linear running based on 30-15 IFT final velocity.
- Work intervals: 15 seconds.
- Recovery: 15 seconds passive rest, with 4 minutes between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: 2 sets x 6 reps in weeks 1-4, progressing to 3 sets x 6 reps in weeks 5-8.
- Intensity: 90-95% of VIFT during work; rest intensity 0% VIFT.
- Session duration: About 15-20 minutes after a 15-minute standardized warm-up.
- Frequency: 3 sessions per week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: Volume progressed from 2 to 3 sets while preserving 15 s work/15 s rest intervals.
- Small-sided games.
- Modality: 2v2 and 3v3 soccer possession games without goals.
- Work intervals: 90 seconds.
- Recovery: 90 seconds passive rest, with 4 minutes between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: 2 sets x 2 reps in weeks 1-4, progressing to 3 sets x 2 reps in weeks 5-8.
- Intensity: Session RPE was similar to HIIT; rest between sets was prescribed at 65% VIFT.
- Session duration: About 15-20 minutes after a 15-minute standardized warm-up.
- Frequency: 3 sessions per week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: Game format alternated between 3v3 on 18 x 30 m and 2v2 on 12 x 24 m pitches; volume progressed from 2 to 3 sets.

## Outcomes

### Main reported result
Status: no clear change
There were no significant between-group post-intervention differences for any measured outcome.

### Main reported result
Status: mixed
Both groups improved countermovement jump, hop tests, 30-15 IFT final velocity, and change-of-direction outcomes.

### Main reported result
Status: no clear change
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
Status: no clear change
Small-sided games reduced body mass and BMI within group, while HIIT did not.

### Main reported result
Status: unclear
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
Status: unclear
Adherence was high: 93.6% for small-sided games and 91.7% for HIIT.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- One HIIT participant was removed because of an injury during the 8-week period; details and attribution were not reported.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35765044/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-022-00516-z) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9238068/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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