Abstract:

The aim of this study was to compare physiological and kinematic responses to various soccer specific small-sided games and friendly match. 14 young soccer players (age: 15.6􀁲0.6 years; height: 171.5􀁲4.5 cm; body weight: 61.2􀁲5.3 kg) were voluntarily participated in the study. Four sets of small sided games were played under standardized time and field space for each player by 2-a-side, 4-a-side, 6-a-side, and 8-a-side without a goalkeeper by normal game rules. In all games the resting duration between sets was 2 minutes. Training match was played in normal official size field under regular rules. In small sided games and match blood lactate, heart rate and subjective perceived exertion rating were used as physiological variables; the total distance covered, the number and time spent in each activity categories as stoppage and walking, jogging, low-medium-high velocity running were determined as kinematic variables. In small sided games as the number of players increase the intensity of the game has decreased, and vice versa. According to kinematic findings as the number of players increased, amount of time spent and distance run in low intensities has increased, and as opposite to this, as the number of players decreased the amount of time spent and distance run in higher intensities has also increased. According to the findings it is better to use physiological and kinematic variables together in establishing the intensity of the game. Furthermore 8-a-side game format showed most similar kinematic and physiological variables compare to other form of games in this study.

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