# Small-Sided Games vs. Running-Based High-Intensity Interval Training: An Exploratory Study of the Effects on Physical Performance and Internal Load in Under-11 Male Football Players

PMID: 41893606
Journal: Sports (Basel, Switzerland)
Published: 2026 Mar 13
Authors: Panascì M, Ferrando V, Castagna C, Apollaro G, Ruggeri P, Faelli EL

## Question

In under-11 male football players, how do small-sided games and running-based HIIT compare for aerobic fitness, neuromuscular performance, change-of-direction ability, and internal load?

## Summary

This exploratory 8-week study compared small-sided football games with running-based HIIT in 16 under-11 male academy football players. Both formats improved aerobic fitness and change-of-direction ability. Small-sided games produced broader sprint and agility benefits and lower perceived exertion, while running HIIT generated higher peak heart-rate and RPE responses. The authors caution that the sample was small, maturation was not directly assessed, and injury surveillance was not performed.

## Population

- Sixteen under-11 male academy football players from an Italian professional youth academy.
- Sample size: 16
- Age: Under-11; exact mean age not extracted from table text
- Sex: Male
- Fitness level: Trained youth football players.
- Health status: Apparently healthy; testing was completed without reported complications.

## Methodology

- Exploratory parallel matched-group training study comparing SSGs and running-based HIIT over 8 weeks.
- 8-week intervention after 2-week familiarization.
- Italian professional football academy, grass field training and testing.
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Running-based HIIT.
- Modality: Linear running on grass field.
- Work intervals: 15 seconds at 100% Vpeak.
- Recovery: 15 seconds passive recovery, plus 1 minute rest between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: 3 sets of 5 minutes.
- Intensity: 100% peak velocity from YYIR1C.
- Session duration: About 50 minutes including warm-up, 20 minutes technical drills, interval sets, and cool-down.
- Frequency: 2 sessions per week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: None reported.
- Small-sided games.
- Modality: 4 vs 4 football plus goalkeepers.
- Work intervals: 3 x 5-minute game bouts.
- Recovery: 1 minute passive recovery between bouts.
- Sets or repetitions: 3 bouts.
- Intensity: High-intensity game play with continuous coach encouragement; HR/RPE monitored.
- Session duration: About 50 minutes including warm-up, technical drills, SSG bouts, and cool-down.
- Frequency: 2 sessions per week.
- Program length: 8 weeks.
- Progression: None reported.

## Outcomes

### Aerobic fitness
Status: improved
Both SSGs and HIIT significantly improved YYIR1C distance and Vpeak with no significant between-group difference.

SSG YYIR1C p = 0.012, Vpeak p = 0.017; HIIT YYIR1C p = 0.012, Vpeak p = 0.016; between-group delta YYIR1C p = 0.269, Vpeak p = 0.548.

### Sprint performance
Status: mixed
SSGs significantly improved 10 m and 20 m sprint; HIIT sprint changes were not significant, and 20 m improvement favored SSG.

SSG 10 m p = 0.035, 20 m p = 0.012; HIIT 10 m p = 0.068, 20 m p = 0.157; between-group 20 m p = 0.004.

### Change-of-direction ability
Status: improved
Both modalities improved COD, with larger right and left improvements after SSGs.

Between-group COD right p = 0.036; COD left p = 0.001.

### Internal load
Status: mixed
HIIT elicited higher HRpeak and RPE; HRmean was generally similar.

Total HRpeak p = 0.001; cumulative RPE p < 0.001; HRmean weekly differences not significant.

## Practical Insights

- Small-sided games may provide similar aerobic benefits with lower subjective load in young football players.
- Running HIIT is better for tightly controlled cardiovascular stress but may feel harder.
- Youth programs should track maturation and injuries explicitly.

## Limitations

- Small exploratory sample.
- No external load monitoring.
- No direct physiological measurements.
- No injury surveillance.
- Biological maturation not assessed.

## Safety And Adherence

- Testing sessions were completed without dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, or complications.
- Injury surveillance was not conducted, limiting safety interpretation.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41893606/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14030114) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13030078/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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