The objectives of this study were to compare the external load of position games and matches in soccer players and to assess the effect of different pitch sizes on position games in relation to competition. Twenty-five players (age: 21.9 ± 1.9 years; height: 177.9 ± 5.2 cm; weight: 75.5 ± 4.8 kg) were evaluated during 37 official matches and 18 position games classified according to their pitch sizes: Small, Medium and Large (50.8 ± 6.6 m, 80.5 ± 4.6 m and 115.9 ± 25.2 m relative area per player, respectively). Using a GPS system, total distance (DC), DC > 21 km · h, peak speed, and maximal accelerations and decelerations lower and higher than 3 m · s (Acc; Acc; Dec and Dec, respectively) were recorded. Mixed model analyses were used to compare the effects of the game condition and of space dimensions on the dependent parameters. During the position games, lower values of DC, DC > 21 km · h, peak speed, Acc, Dec, maximal accelerations and maximal decelerations were reported than in matches. Position games showed higher values than matches for the Acc and Dec. All analysed variables reached statistical significance (all < 0.001). Small, Medium and Large position games significantly achieved lower DC > 21 km · h, peak speed, Acc, Dec, maximal accelerations and maximal decelerations, but significantly higher Acc and Dec (all < 0.05) than matches. The data showed that position games of 9 vs. 9 + 2 with a relative area per player ≤ 115.9 m present a different external load than matches.
Biol Sport. 2019 Jun;36(2):171-180
[PMID:
31223195]
J Athl Train. 2020 Sep 1;55(9):885-892
[PMID:
32991701]
J Sports Sci. 2018 Jul;36(14):1557-1563
[PMID:
29125029]
Sensors (Basel). 2023 Jan 23;23(3):
[PMID:
36772339]
Biol Sport. 2022 Sep;39(3):579-598
[PMID:
35959338]
Int J Sports Med. 2024 Jul;45(8):616-623
[PMID:
38471657]
Res Sports Med. 2019 Jan-Mar;27(1):50-59
[PMID:
30129780]
J Hum Kinet. 2023 Apr 20;87:179-188
[PMID:
37229419]
Sports (Basel). 2019 Sep 30;7(10):
[PMID:
31575073]
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Dec 13;16(24):
[PMID:
31847248]
PLoS One. 2021 Feb 12;16(2):e0247067
[PMID:
33577611]
Percept Mot Skills. 2022 Jun;129(3):892-931
[PMID:
35084256]
Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2019 Feb 1;31(1):85-90
[PMID:
30500316]
Biol Sport. 2023 Jan;40(1):291-301
[PMID:
36636193]
Biol Sport. 2023 Oct;40(4):1047-1055
[PMID:
37867736]
Br J Sports Med. 2016 Mar;50(5):273-80
[PMID:
26758673]
J Strength Cond Res. 2016 Feb;30(2):351-9
[PMID:
26057190]
J Sports Sci. 2014;32(19):1751-9
[PMID:
24915106]
Sports Med. 2023 Feb;53(2):371-413
[PMID:
36331702]
Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009 Jan;41(1):3-13
[PMID:
19092709]
Biol Sport. 2024 Oct;41(4):109-117
[PMID:
39416516]
Front Physiol. 2020 Aug 28;11:1034
[PMID:
32982781]
J Sports Sci. 2009 Aug;27(10):985
[PMID:
19847681]
Int J Sports Med. 2023 Jul;44(8):568-575
[PMID:
36809786]
J Hum Kinet. 2024 Feb 17;92:121-131
[PMID:
38736606]
J Strength Cond Res. 2012 Mar;26(3):837-43
[PMID:
22310516]
J Hum Kinet. 2022 Apr 26;82:135-144
[PMID:
36196354]
Int J Sports Med. 2014 Apr;35(4):286-92
[PMID:
24022576]
Eur J Sport Sci. 2018 May;18(4):450-457
[PMID:
29385963]
Biol Sport. 2024 Jul;41(3):15-28
[PMID:
38952897]
J Hum Kinet. 2022 Sep 08;83:175-184
[PMID:
36157949]
Hum Mov Sci. 2012 Aug;31(4):957-69
[PMID:
22341858]
J Strength Cond Res. 2021 Jul 1;35(7):2018-2024
[PMID:
30741867]
J Strength Cond Res. 2014 Dec;28(12):3594-618
[PMID:
24918302]
Sports (Basel). 2018 Dec 12;6(4):
[PMID:
30545050]
