Heart rate response comparison of young soccer plyers in “cage” small-sided and 8vs8 games

Aim: Small-sided games are widely used training methods because they permit the trainer to focus on technical/tactical and physical aspects at the same time. The study also aims to investigate and compare the cardiac responses assessed during 3 vs. 3 games played in a “cage” compared with 8 vs. 8 games played with goal keepers and to understand the correlation between the values of aerobic power and heart rate measured during small-sided games. Methods: 16 young soccer players. Results: The assessment of aerobic power, measured by means of the Leger test, revealed a mean VO2max value equal to 54.23 ± 3.89 ml/kg/min. The results showed statistically significant differences between 3vs3 cage and 8vs8 for % mean heart rate (88±2,7 vs 77±3,8, p<0.0005) and % max heart rate (94,6±1,5 vs 88,6±2,9, p<0.0005). A significant negative correlation emerged between the VO2max and % mean heart rate during the first period (r=-0.873, p<0.01), the second period (r=-0.678, p<0.05) and the third period (r=-0.615, p<0.05). Conclusion: This study is the first to describe and quantify the internal load imposed by a specific playing modality (i.e. a cage-enclosed pitch) on a small-sided games format (i.e. 3 vs. 3) that demands that play is continuous and without any interruption (for example, due to balls going out of play) using young football players. The results also show that physiological responses in young players are greater in small-sided games involving a smaller number of players (i.e. 3 vs. 3 compared with 8 vs. 8).