Content uploaded by Maamer Slimani
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Maamer Slimani on Oct 23, 2017
Content may be subject to copyright.
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
1
Does Small-Sided Games Training Improve Physical-Fitness and Specific
Skills for Team Sports? A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Short title: Small-Sided Game Training for Team Sports
Authors: Amri Hammami1, Tim J Gabbett 2, Maamer Slimani 3, Ezdine Bouhlel1.
1 Laboratory of physiology, faculty of medicine Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
2 School of Human Movement Studies, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland,
Australia School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Queensland,
Australia
3 Research Laboratory “Sport Performance Optimization”, National Center of Medicine and
Sciences in Sport (CNMSS), Tunis, Tunisia
Funding No financial organisation was involved in the material discussed in the manuscript.
Conflicts of Interest The authors certify that there is no conflict of interest regarding the
material discussed in the manuscript.
Correspond author: Amri Hammami: Laboratory of physiology, faculty of medicine
Ibnjazar, Sousse, Tunisia.
Tel: +21624479504
E-mail: hammamiamri@hotmail.com
Address: Résidence Ferdaws lot 5, Mhamdia Benarous, 1145, Tunisia.
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
2
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This paper aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze the training
effects of small-sided games (SSG) on physical fitness and specific skills related to team sport
according to the level of play and the period of the season. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The
search covered the following electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and
ScienceDirect). The publications’ search period ranged from 2000 to 2016. The terms (small-
sided game, training, skill-based game, aerobic fitness, sprint, agility, jump and team sports)
were used either singularly or combined in a systematic sequence. Appraisal of 16 articles (15
were meta-analysed) was performed after the application of exclusion criteria and quality
assurance processes and the standardized mean effects were measured using random effects.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: The results revealed that SSG training had a large beneficial
effect on maximal oxygen uptake [O2max] (effect size (ES) = 1.94; 95 % CI 0.15, 3.74; I2 =
94 %), agility (ES = -1.49; 95% CI -2.27, -0.71; I2 = 80%), and repeated sprint ability (ES = -
1.19; 95% CI -2.17, -0.21; I2= 53%). There was a moderate beneficial effect on 10- and 20-m
sprint performance (ES = -0.89; 95 % CI -1.7, -0.07; I2 =88%), jump height (ES = 0.68; 95%
CI 0.03, 1.33; I2= 79%), and intermittent endurance (ES = 0.61; 95% CI 0.17, 1.05; I2= 0%).
The results also showed greater positive effects on specific skills (specific endurance and
agility tests and techniques) after SSG when compared with generic or agility training.
CONCLUSION: Small-sided games may represent an effective strategy of multicomponent
training that can induce greater positive effects on specific skills tasks when compared with
interval or agility training and moderate to large improvements in team sport-related physical
fitness.
Key words: Team sports, performance, training, endurance.
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
3
Introduction
Team sports are characterized by long periods of low intensity activity including walking and
jogging interspersed by repeated bouts of high intensity running/efforts. Furthermore, team
sport athletes are typically required to perform explosive actions such as kicking, dribbling,
jumping, changes of direction, and sprinting during training and competition. Currently,
different training methods such as endurance training, 1 high-intensity interval training, 2 and
strength training 3, 4 have been proposed to enhance team sport-related physical fitness. More
recently, specific sport training or small-sided games (SSG) have been extensively
investigated in order to develop the team-specific performance of players. 5-7
Small-sided game training or skill-based conditioning games have received attention
within the recent scientific literature. 8, 9 This type of training is often played with modified
games on reduced pitch areas, using adapted rules and involving a smaller number of players
than traditional games. 9 Currently, SSG represent one of the most common training drills
used by amateur and professional teams to improve physical fitness while also developing
technical and tactical proficiency. 9
Recent reviews on the physiological responses to SSG in team sports highlighted that high-
intensity exercise can be achieved during SSG with a high degree of neuromuscular and
metabolic stress, with mean heart rate (HR) generally exceeding 80% of HR max and blood
lactate concentrations above 6 mmol/l. 10 Therefore, SSG appear to be an effective strategy of
training the multiple components (i.e. physical, technical, and tactical skills) of team sports,
while at the same time, ensuring a high level of motivation. 5, 11 Moreover, it has been
demonstrated that the physiological response and technical actions in SSG is influenced by a
range of variables such as number of players, pitch size, duration and format; varying one or
more of these variables may affect SSG intensity. 10
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
4
The recent growth in the use of SSG as a training mode in team sports 6, 12 shows an
increased interest of its potential benefits to team sport-related physical fitness. However, to
date, the long-term effects of SSG training on physical fitness in team sports have yet to be
meta-analysed. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to study
the effects of SSG training upon indices of physical fitness and specific skills related to team
sports. Furthermore, the effects according to the level of play and the period of the season
were also assessed.
Methods
Search strategy
The search process followed the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and
Meta- Analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines for the conduct of systematic reviews. 13 The search
covered the following electronic databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect).
The publications’ search period ranged from 2000 to 2016. The terms (small-sided game,
training, skill-based game, aerobic fitness, sprint, agility, jump and team sports) were used
either singularly or combined in a systematic sequence. Manual searches were also made
using reference lists from the recovered articles (see figure 1).
Study selection and inclusion criteria
Studies were included in the review if they met the following criteria: (1) Randomized
controlled and non-controlled trials involving a SSG training intervention of > 4 weeks in
duration; (2) Involved trained and competitive team sport athletes; (3) The outcomes were
field- or laboratory-based fitness measures such as: O2max, sprint, jump, agility, or repeated
sprint performance in addition to the specific skills related to each type of team sport; (4)
Articles were written in the English language and were published in peer-reviewed journals,
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
5
using techniques of high reliability and validity. Conference proceedings and theses were
excluded. Following an initial literature search and the screening of titles and abstracts from the
cited databases, a full text review of apparently relevant articles was made to ensure that they
met the specified inclusion criteria.
Data extraction
The participants and training characteristics, sport types and the outcome measurements of the
meta-analysed studies are displayed in table 1. Data from studies that met the inclusion criteria,
including authors, year of publication, study subjects’ characteristics, training program
(duration, frequency and intensity), outcome measures and the most important results were
extracted. The present study included a range of physical fitness tests (i.e. O2max, jump, sprint,
agility, intermittent endurance and repeated sprint) and specific skills related to team sports (i.e.
shooting, match performance, tasks with the ball) that are often used within the literature to
assess specific tasks, endurance capacities, leg power and speed.
Data analysis
Review Manager statistical software V.5.0 (Nordic Cochrane Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark)
was used to determine the standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals for the
included studies using a random effects model. Inconsistency was measured using the (I2)
expressed as a percentage between 0 and 100%, with values greater than 50% considered
indicative of high heterogeneity. Magnitude of change was assessed based on standardized
thresholds for small, moderate and large changes (0.2, 0.6 and 1.2, respectively). 14
***Insert figure 1 here***
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
6
Quality analysis
The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) rating scale was chosen for quality
assessment of the included studies. 35 This rates validity on a scale of 1-11 according to the
following criteria: 1) Eligibility criteria specified. 2) Random allocation of subjects. 3)
Concealed allocation of subjects. 4) Groups similar at baseline. 5) Subject blinding. 6)
Therapist blinding. 7) Assessor blinding. 8) Less than 15% dropouts. 9) Intention-to-treat
analysis. 10) Between-group statistical comparisons. 11) Point measures and variability of the
data. Item 1 is not used in the scoring because it is related to external validity
Results
Study selection and characteristics
The overall sample size for the 15 training studies that were meta-analysed was 200 players (14
female); the participants who undertook SSG training were compared with either a control
group (habitual training) or subjects receiving alternative interventions (interval training,
generic training and strength training). The training period ranged from 4 to 12 weeks, with
most studies continuing over 6-8 weeks. The average frequency of training and exercise
intensity during SSG were 2 sessions per week and 81.4 ± 3.0 % of HR max, respectively. SSG
training was conducted with different formats such as 2v2, 3v3 in volleyball, 4v4 and 5v5 in
soccer, 5v5 and 5v3 in rugby. The physical fitness measures such as jumping, 10–30 m
sprinting, O2max, repeated sprinting and intermittent endurance were used to assess leg power,
different aspects of speed and aerobic fitness, and were therefore included in the present
analysis. Concerning the specific skills, the search identified 7 studies examining the effects of
SSG on some specific skills related to team sport such as shoot velocity, change of direction
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
7
with the ball and offensive and defensive techniques. Three studies focused on the effects of
SSG on specific skills in handball players, 2 in soccer players, one study in basketball and one
in volleyball players. See table 4.
***Insert Table 1 near here***
Meta-analysis results
The effects of SSG on physical qualities
The results of the meta-analysis are presented in figure1 to figure 7. The meta-analysed
results revealed that SSG training had a large beneficial effect on O2max (effect size (ES) =
1.94; 95 % CI 0.15, 3.74; I2 = 94 %), agility (ES = -1.49; 95% CI -2.27, -0.71; I2 = 80%), and
repeated sprint ability (ES = -1.19; 95% CI -2.17, -0.21; I2= 53%). There was a moderate
beneficial effect on 10- and 20-m sprint performance (ES = -0.89; 95 % CI -1.7, -0.07; I2
=88%), jump height (ES = 0.68; 95% CI 0.03, 1.33; I2= 79%), and intermittent endurance (ES
= 0.61; 95% CI 0.17, 1.05; I2= 0%).
The effects of SSG training on specific skills
The results demonstrated a significantly greater improvement of some specific skills related to
team sports after a periodized SSG training compared with other training types such as
interval and generic training. These results were observed for shoot velocity, handball agility
and standing throw performance in handball players, 5, 15, 16 agility with the ball and match
performance in soccer 6, 17 and for technique skills and shooting in volleyball and basketball
players. 18, 19
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
8
Risk of bias and methodological qualities
The results showed that 14 studies used a randomized fashion and 2 studies used one group
pre-post intervention study design. However, only 2 studies used control groups. Heterogeneity
that was determined using the I2 value revealed a high heterogeneity of almost of the studies
included. The quality of the studies included in our analysis presented in Table 4. The mean
PEDro score was 5.8/10 (range 5 to 7). Almost of investigations were randomized with an
acceptable sample size. For practical reasons, most studies did not adopt a blinding design, but
all made a between-group comparison.
Discussion
Many team sports such as soccer, handball, Australian football, rugby and hockey necessitate
the development of specific capacities of physical fitness including peak speed and power,
strength, repeated sprint ability, and aerobic endurance. 20-22 Recently, SSG has emerged as a
feasible and efficacious strategy for increasing team sport-related physical fitness while at the
same time developing game-specific muscle-groups and improving technical and tactical
abilities through game-specific conditions. 10 The present meta-analysis and systematic review
showed a clear beneficial effect (moderate to large effects) of SSG training on measures of
O2max, jump, sprint, agility, repeated sprint, and intermittent endurance.
Effects of SSG on aerobic fitness
***Insert figure 2 and 6 here***
It has been shown that SSGs elicit exercise intensities equal or higher than traditional-based
training approaches. For example, Dellal et al. 23 demonstrated that some soccer SSG resulted
in comparable HR to short-duration intermittent running, with HR exceeding 80% HR max.
These high exercise intensities and the higher metabolic stress placed on the body during SSG
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
9
may represent the main factors for the important gains showed in aerobic fitness. For example,
it has been shown in rugby league players that O2max increased by 4.7% after a 9 week
program (2 sessions per week) of SSG. 24 Furthermore, 8 weeks of SSG (2 sessions / week;
91.3% HR max) resulted in a large increase in O2max in professional soccer players. 17 This
improvement was as efficient as high-intensity interval training.
The present meta-analysis revealed a moderate beneficial effect (4 studies, ES = 0.61) of
SSG on intermittent endurance measured by the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT). It
is well established that repeated high (and low) intensity actions are of great interest to coaches
and fitness coaches in many team sports. 25, 26 Dellal et al. 27 showed that 6 weeks of both SSG
and HIT interventions were equally effective in developing the ability to perform intermittent
exercises with changes of direction in male amateur soccer players. Similar results were found
when adolescent handball players performed handball-based training (86.8% HR max) or high-
intensity interval training (87.6% HR max) twice per week for 10 weeks. 5 The authors found
that the two training modes were effective in improving a range of intermittent endurance
indices such as velocity reached at the end of the 30–15 IFT test and times-to-exhaustion. It has
also been suggested that handball-based SSG should be considered as a preferred training
method due to its higher game-based specificity. 5 The present results are in conjunction with
the results of recent systematic review who demonstrated that SSG seems to be slightly more
physically strenuous than traditional training approaches as demonstrated by the elevated HR
responses which may potentially evoke greater improvements in cardiovascular function and
subsequently aerobic fitness adaptations. 10
Effects of SSG on sprint, agility and jump performances
Explosive and short-duration high-intensity tasks such as strength, power, speed and agility,
particularly during critical moments in competition, represent a determining component of
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
10
success in team sport. 28 The development and improvement of these specific physical
capacities is of great interest to team sports coaches and players. The effect of SSG on these
qualities has been the focus of some studies. The results of the present meta-analysis revealed a
moderate beneficial effect on 10- and 20-m sprint performance and jump height, and a large
beneficial effect on agility. It has been shown that 6 weeks of SSG training in young soccer
players produced a greater improvement in agility tests conducted with the ball in comparison
to a specific change of direction training program. 6 Moreover, it has been shown that U-18
Australian Rules football players improved their reactive agility and speed of decision-making
after 7 weeks (2 sessions /week) of SSG training compared with change of direction training
during the season. 12 Gabbett 24 demonstrated that a 9-week SSG training program (2
sessions/week) elicited greater improvements in sprint performance than traditional
conditioning (i.e., running activities with no skill component) in rugby league players. These
improvements in short sprints and agility tasks may be explained in part by the multiple
specific power-related actions such as jumps, blocks, stops, accelerations and decelerations that
took place in the SSG that were performed at high intensity and over playing areas of small
dimensions. Thus, specific SSG can be used as an effective training stimulus during the
competitive phase of the season with positive effects on specific tasks and physical
performance. Thus, given the time restrictions facing coaches and strength and conditioning
practitioners, SSG appear to be a suitable method for improving physical fitness while
developing technical and tactical efficiency.
***Insert Figure 2, 3 and 4 here ***
Effects of SSG on repeated sprint performance
Repeated sprint ability was defined as the ability to repeat short-duration sprints (<10 seconds),
interspersed with brief recovery periods. 29 It has been shown that repeated sprint ability (RSA)
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
11
performance (mean sprint time) predicts distance of high intensity and total distance running
performed during a soccer match. 30 Thus, it could be crucial to successful performance in team
sports and it is important to optimize training strategies that can improve RSA. In the present
review, only 4 studies evaluated the effects of SSG on RSA performance. Different RSA
indices were evaluated in each study (mean sprint time, total sprint time, fatigue index).
However, total sprint time was evaluated in two studies 5, 16 and meta-analysed in the present
study. The results showed a large beneficial effect of SSG training on total sprint time during a
RSA test. In handball players, both Iacono et al. 16 and Buchheit et al. 5 found a significant and
large improvement in total sprint time during RSA after a period of SSG training. It seems that
the high-intensity exercise tasks performed during SSGs sessions such as sprints, jumps and
changes of direction represent the main stimulus that elicited the improvement in RSA.
Moreover, the improvement in RSA may be due in part to the improvement in agility and
coordination that improved the ability to change direction, which in turn increased repeated
shuttle sprint performance. 5
Effects of SSG on specific skill tasks
During recent years, team sport coaches have used SSG in their training programs because of
their proposed advantages in terms of specificity of movements and inclusion of decision
making. Our results demonstrated that SSG had large positive effects on some specific tasks
compared with other training modes such as interval and agility training. It has been shown for
example that handball agility specific test and standing throw performance improved
significantly after 8 weeks of regular SSG compared with interval training or repeated sprint
training. 15, 16 For amateur soccer players, change of direction and reactive agility with the ball
improved significantly after 6 weeks of SSG. 6 These improvements were superior to change of
direction training. These studies clearly showed that SSG permit a significant and superior
improvement in some specific skills compared with other training modes.
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
12
Effects of SSG training on enjoyment and motivation
In addition to the positive effects observed after SSG training on physical fitness for team
sports, it has been suggested that SSG may be considered as the preferred training method
compared to other training types due to its higher game-based specificity. 5 To date, only one
study has examined the effects of SSG training on enjoyment in soccer player. 11 The authors
showed a very likely greater enjoyment (using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale) after
SSG compared with high-intensity interval training in soccer players. Although SSG may be
considered an efficient training method to maintain physical fitness and promote a high level of
enjoyment and motivation, future research is needed to examine the effects of SSG on
enjoyment and motivation in different SSG formats and for different sport practices.
Effects of SSG according to period of the season
The effects of the period of the season on the performance change in responses to SSG
training was presented in table 3. Three studies assessed the effects of SSG during the pre-
season period and all of the studies were conducted on soccer players. 17, 31, 32 All these studies
showed a significant improvement in aerobic performance ( O2max, Yo-Yo, running economy
and peak power); however, these improvements were comparable to generic training.
Furthermore, 9 studies examined the effects of SSG during the competitive season. The
results also demonstrated a significant improvement in a range of physical and task specific
performance markers in all the studies. A greater improvement in performance after SSG
compared with other training types (repeated sprint training, generic training, interval
training) was detected in 5 studies 6, 12, 15, 16, 24 and only one study reported an equal
improvement compared with interval training. 11 These results clearly demonstrate that a
periodized SSG training program leads to important improvements in physical performances
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
13
either in the pre-or in-season period. When comparing SSG with other training regimens,
performance improvements were greater during the in-season than the pre-season.
Accordingly, improvements were greatest for skills activities such as specific agility, decision
making and throwing performances. 16, 33 However, given the limited number of studies
reporting the effects of SSG in the pre-season period, these interpretations should be treated
with caution and further research on this topic is needed.
Effects of SSG according to the level of play
The results of the effects of SSG training on performance of team sport players according to
the level of play are presented in table 3. For soccer players, the positive effects seen after
SSG training were evident in amateur, elite and professional players. 6, 11, 34 Indeed,
significant improvements were seen for RSA, intermittent endurance, O2peak and running
economy for both level of players. The same interpretations can be drawn for other team
sports such as handball and rugby players. 5, 15
Limitations and methodological consideration
Despite the important conclusions that can be drawn from this review concerning the
usefulness of SSG training for improving physical and skill performance in team sports, it is
important to note that some limitations should be considered. We observed a high
heterogeneity in almost of the studies, particularly of the outcomes of VO2max, 10- and 20-m
sprint and jump performances, and this may be due to the low sample size used and the large
standard mean difference in the study of Gabbet. 24 This could be explained by the greater
improvements in physical fitness and lower incidence and severity of injuries in the athletes
performing skill-based conditioning games in comparison to traditional conditioning activities.
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
14
24 Another issue is that almost studies did not adopt the RCT design and this is may be related
to ethical issues. Indeed, it is difficult to obligate high level athletes to not use small-sided
games drills during training. Furthermore, as many SSG training interventions are implemented
during the season (see table 2), it difficult to isolate the true effects of SSG (additional to usual
training). The general focus on team sports rather than specific sports may also represent a
limitation; differences in rules, player numbers and exercise mode clearly exist between
specific team sports. Thus interpretations should be drawn based on each team sport in
isolation.
Conclusions
The present review and meta-analysis revealed that conducting 2-3 SSG training sessions per
week induced large improvements in specific skills and moderate to large improvements in
team sport-related physical fitness such as O2max, speed, agility, jumping, and repeated sprint
performance. These improvements appear to be independent of playing level and can occur
either in the pre-or in-season period. Given the time constraints of team sports and the wide-
ranging benefits of SSG, in addition to the greater game-based specificity and enjoyment, SSG
training may be suggested as an alternative or complementary form of training to traditional
physical fitness training during team-sports sessions. Further research is needed to isolate the
long term effects of manipulating SSG training variables, such as volume and pitch size in
order to optimize training prescription according to level, sport, nature and period of season.
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
15
References
1. Chamari K, Hachana Y, Kaouech F, Jeddi R, Moussa-Chamari I and Wisløff U.
Endurance training and testing with the ball in young elite soccer players. Br J Sports Med.
2005; 39: 24-8.
2. Bravo DF, Impellizzeri F, Rampinini E, Castagna C, Bishop D and Wisloff U. Sprint
vs. interval training in football. Int J Sports Med. 2008; 29: 668-74.
3. Hoff J and Helgerud J. Endurance and strength training for soccer players. Sports
Med. 2004; 34: 165-80.
4. Hoff J and Almåsbakk B. The Effects of Maximum Strength Training on Throwing
Velocity and Muscle Strength in Female Team-Handball Players. J Strength Cond Res. 1995;
9: 255-8.
5. Buchheit M, Laursen PB, Kuhnle J, Ruch D, Renaud C and Ahmaidi S. Game-based
training in young elite handball players. Int J Sports Med. 2009; 30: 251-8.
6. Chaouachi A, Chtara M, Hammami R, Chtara H, Turki O and Castagna C.
Multidirectional sprints and small-sided games training effect on agility and change of
direction abilities in youth soccer. J Strength Cond Res. 2014; 28: 3121-7.
7. Dellal A, Chamari K, Pintus A, Girard O, Cotte T and Keller D. Heart rate responses
during small-sided games and short intermittent running training in elite soccer players: a
comparative study. J Strength Cond Res. 2008; 22: 1449-57.
8. Hill-Haas SV, Dawson BT, Coutts AJ and Rowsell GJ. Physiological responses and
time-motion characteristics of various small-sided soccer games in youth players. J Sports
Sci. 2009; 27: 1-8.
9. Hill-Haas SV, Dawson B, Impellizzeri FM and Coutts AJ. Physiology of small-sided
games training in football. Sports Med. 2011; 41: 199-220.
10. Halouani J, Chtourou H, Gabbett T, Chaouachi A and Chamari K. Small-Sided Games
in Team Sports Training: A Brief Review. J Strength Cond Res. 2014; 28: 3594-618.
11. Los Arcos A, Vázquez JS, Martín J, et al. Effects of small-sided games vs. interval
training in aerobic fitness and physical enjoyment in young elite soccer players. PLoS One.
2015; 10: e0137224.
12. Young W and Rogers N. Effects of small-sided game and change-of-direction training
on reactive agility and change-of-direction speed. J Sports Sci. 2014; 32: 307-14.
13. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J and Altman DG. Preferred reporting items for
systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. Ann Intern Med. 2009; 151:
264-9.
14. Cohen J. Statistical power for the behavioral sciences . Hillside. NJ: Erlbaum, 1988.
15. Iacono AD, Eliakim A and Meckel Y. Improving fitness of elite handball players:
Small-sided games vs. high-intensity intermittent training. J Strength Cond Res. 2015; 29:
835-43.
16. Iacono AD, Ardigò LP, Meckel Y and Padulo J. Effect of Small-Sided Games and
Repeated Shuffle Sprint Training on Physical Performance in Elite Handball Players. J
Strength Cond Res. 2016; 30: 830-40.
17. Impellizzeri FM, Marcora SM, Castagna C, et al. Physiological and performance
effects of generic versus specific aerobic training in soccer players. Int J Sports Med. 2006;
27: 483-92.
18. Delextrat A and Martinez A. Small-sided game training improves aerobic capacity and
technical skills in basketball players. Int J Sports Med. 2014; 35: 385-91.
19. Gabbett TJ. Do skill-based conditioning games offer a specific training stimulus for
junior elite volleyball players? J Strength Cond Res. 2008; 22: 509-17.
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
16
20. Buchheit M. Repeated-sprint performance in team sport players: associations with
measures of aerobic fitness, metabolic control and locomotor function. Int J Sports Med.
2012; 33: 230-9.
21. Johnston RD, Gabbett TJ and Jenkins DG. Applied sport science of rugby league.
Sports Med. 2014; 44: 1087-100.
22. Kölling S, Hitzschke B, Holst T, et al. Validity of the acute recovery and stress scale:
training monitoring of the german junior national field hockey team. Int J Sports Sci
Coaching. 2015; 10: 529-42.
23. Dellal A, Chamari K, Pintus A, Girard O, Cotte T and Keller D. Heart rate responses
during small-sided games and short intermittent running training in elite soccer players: a
comparative study. J Strength Cond Res. 2008; 22: 1449-57.
24. Gabbett TJ. Skill-based conditioning games as an alternative to traditional
conditioning for rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res. 2006; 20: 309-15.
25. Carling C, Le Gall F and Dupont G. Analysis of repeated high-intensity running
performance in professional soccer. J Sports Sci. 2012; 30: 325-36.
26. Conte D, Favero TG, Lupo C, Francioni FM, Capranica L and Tessitore A. Time-
motion analysis of italian elite women's basketball games: Individual and team analyses. J
Strength Cond Res. 2015; 29: 144-50.
27. Dellal A, Varliette C, Owen A, Chirico EN and Pialoux V. Small-sided games versus
interval training in amateur soccer players: effects on the aerobic capacity and the ability to
perform intermittent exercises with changes of direction. J Strength Cond Res. 2012; 26:
2712-20.
28. Faude O, Koch T and Meyer T. Straight sprinting is the most frequent action in goal
situations in professional football. J Sports Sci. 2012; 30: 625-31.
29. Bishop D, Girard O and Mendez-Villanueva A. Repeated-sprint ability—Part II.
Sports Med. 2011; 41: 741-56.
30. Rampinini E, Bishop D, Marcora S, Bravo DF, Sassi R and Impellizzeri F. Validity of
simple field tests as indicators of match-related physical performance in top-level professional
soccer players. Int J Sports Med. 2007; 28: 228-35.
31. Hill-Haas SV, Coutts AJ, Rowsell GJ and Dawson BT. Generic versus small-sided
game training in soccer. Int J Sports Med. 2009; 30: 636-42.
32. Radziminski L, Rompa P, Barnat W, Dargiewicz R and Jastrzebski Z. A comparison
of the physiological and technical effects of high-intensity running and small-sided games in
young soccer players. Int J Sports Sci Coaching. 2013; 8: 455-66.
33. Young W and Rogers N. Effects of small-sided game and change-of-direction training
on reactive agility and change-of-direction speed. J Sports Sci. 2014; 32: 307-14.
34. Owen AL, Wong del P, Paul D and Dellal A. Effects of a periodized small-sided game
training intervention on physical performance in elite professional soccer. J Strength Cond
Res. 2012; 26: 2748-54.
35. Maher G, Sherrington C, Herbert RD, Moseley AM. and Elkins M. Reliability of the
PEDro scale for rating quality of randomized controlled trials. Phys Ther. 2003; 83(8): 713-
721.
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
17
Table 1: Study, type of sport, participant and training characteristics and the outcomes measures for the meta-analysed studies.
References
Design
Sample/
Gender
Sport
Age
(years)
Duration
(weeks)
Frequency
(per week)
Type of SSG
Outcome measures
Buchheit et al.
(2008)
RNC
15 (8 F)
Handball
15.5
10
2
4v4 without GK
CMJ, 10m, RSA best
Chaouachi et al.
(2014)
RC
12 M
Soccer
14.2
6
NR
1vs1, 2v2 and 3v3 over a 10x20,
20x20 and 20x30m without GK
15 and 30-m sprint, reactive-agility, vertical and
horizontal jumping
Dello Iacono et al.
(2016)
RNC
18 M
Handball
24.8±4.4
8
2
3 v3 without GK
Sprint, agility, jump, Yo-Yo, RSA
Dello Iacono et al.
(2015)
RNC
9 M
Handball
25,6±0,5
8
2
3v3 , without GK
Sprint, agility, strength (arm), CMJ, aerobic
(yo-yo)
Delextrat and
Martinez (2014)
RNC
9 M
Basketball
U 17
6
2
2v2, 28m x 7,5m
Aerobic fitness, RSA, agility
Dellal et al. (2012)
RC
8 M
Soccer
26,3±4,7
6
9 *
2v2 and 1v1 without GK
Aerobic fitness
Gabbett (2006)
RNC
32 M
Rugby
22,1± 0,9
9
2
NR
Jump, sprint, agility, aerobic fitness
Gabbett (2008)
RNC
12 M+F
Volleyball
15.6± 0.1
12
3
5v5, 5v4, 5v3
Jump, agility, sprint, O2max
Hill-Haas et al.
(2009)
RNC
9M
Soccer
14.6 ± 0.9
7
2
2v2 to 7v7: 40mv20m
O2max, Yo-Yo, RSA, sprint
Harrison et al.
(2015)
RNC
10 M
Field
hockey and
Rugby
13,9±0,4
6
2
3v3
O2peak, sprint, Jump
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
18
Impellizzeri et al.
(2006)
RNC
20 M
Soccer
Junior
8
2
3v3,4v4, 5v5 with GK
O2max, running economy, indices of physical
and performance during matches
Los Arcos et al.
(2015)
RNC
7 M
Soccer
15.1 ± 0.7
6
2
4v4 with GK
CMJ, aerobic fitness
Owen et al. (2012)
NC*
15 M
Soccer
24.5±3.45
4
2
3 v 3 + GK
Fastest and total sprint time + submax O2
Seitz et al. (2014)
NC*
10 M
Rugby
20,9±1,4
8
2
Specific skills: catching,
passing, kicking, wrestling,
attacking or defending.
Aerobic fitness, RSA, sprint,
Radziminski et al.
(2013)
RNC
9 M
Soccer
15,0±0,46
8
2
3v3 18mx 30m
O2max, sprint, agility, jump
Young and Rogers
(2014)
RNC
13 M
Australian
football
17,5± 0,8
7
2
2v2 15mx15m
Planned agility
Notes : SSG = Small-sided games, O2max: = Maximal oxygene uptake; RSA = Repeated sprints ability; GK = Goal keeper, NR = Not reported: C = Controlled study, R= Randomized design,
NC = non controlled study
*= One group intervention study design.
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
19
Table 2: Effects of SSG according to level of players and period of the season.
References
Sport
Level of
players
Period of saison
Intensity
Results
In-season
Adam et al. (2012)
Soccer
Elite
In-season
NR
↑RSA *
↑Running economy*
Dello Iacono et al.
(2016)
Handball
Last part of the in-
season
94.3 6 1.4%
↑Sprint, agility specific test,
CMJ*
SSG>HIIT
Dello Iacono et al.
(2015)
Handball
Elite
First part of the in-
season
90.6±1.1%
↑Agility, standing throwing*
SSG>RST#
Gabbett (2006)
Rugby
subelite
In-season
NR
↑10m print, muscular power,
maximal aerobic power*
↑Sprint, jump: SSG>traditional
training#
Los Arcos et al.
(2015)
Soccer
Elite
Last weeks of the
season
NR
↑Continuous maximal
multistage running test*
SSG = Interval training
Chaouachi et al.
(2014)
Soccer
Amateur
The second part of
the competitive
season
80-85%
↑Agility with the ball*:
SSG>COD or control#
Sprint, jump, agility without the
ball: COD>SSG#
Delextrat and
Martinez (2014)
Basketball
Regional
The competitive
season
90.6%
↑10m sprint and CMJ :
RST>SSG#
Seitz et al. (2014)
Rugby
Elite
The competitive
season
NR
↑Intermittent endurance, speed
tests, RSAindices*
Young and Rogers
(2014)
Australian
football
Elite
The early part of the
competitive season
NR
↑Agility, decision making*
SSG>COD training #
The pre-season
Hill-Haas et al.
(2009)
Soccer
Elite
Pre-season
RPE = 7.5 ±
1.2
↑Yo-Yo IR1*: SSG = Generic
training
Impellizzeri et al.
(2006)
Soccer
Professional
Pre-season
91.3 ± 2.2
%,
↑V˙O2peak n running economy,
soccer specific endurance *
SSG = Generic training
(running)
Radziminski et al.
(2013)
Soccer
NR
Pre-season
92.3 ± 1.1%
↑VO2max, peak power and total
work capacity *
Notes : * = Significant changes compared with Pre-tests, # = Significant difference compared with other training type, SSG =
Small-sided game training, HHIT = High intensity interval training, COD = Change of direction training, RST = repeated sprint
training, Mixed training = SSG + HIIT
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
20
Table 3: Effects of SSG on specific skills related to team sports.
References
Sports
Specific skills
Results
Buchheit et al. (2009)
Handball
• Shoot velocity
• Non change
Chaouachi et al. (2014)
Soccer
• COD with the ball
• Reactive agility with the ball
• ↑9.1%*
• ↑7.5%*
• SSG>COD and Control #
Dello Iacono et al.
(2015)
Handball
• Handball agility specific test
• ↑2.2%* : SSG>HIIT#
Dello Iacono et al.
(2016)
Handball
• Standing throw
• ↑9%*: SSG>RST #
Delextrat and Martinez
(2014)
Basketball
• Defensive and offensive agility
• Shooting and passing skills
• ↑4.5*
• ↑7.4*
SSG>HIIT#
Gabbett (2008)
Volleyball
• Spiking accuracy and technique
• Setting accuracy
• Passing accuracy and technique
• ↑1.9 and 6.5%*
• ↑5.8%*
• ↑2.7 and 6.5%*
Impellizzeri et al.
(2006)
Soccer
• Soccers pecific endurance test (Ekblom’s
circuit).
• match performance (total distance and time
spent standing, walking, and at low- and
high-intensity running)
• No change
• ↑Match performance
SSG = Generic training
Notes: COD = Change of direction test; HIIT = High intensity interval training; SSG = Small-sided game; *=Significant
improvement compared with pre-test, # = Significant difference compared with other training type
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
21
Table 4. Methodological qualities of the included studies
References
Sport
Item number
Score
1*
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Buchheit et al. (2008)
Handball
+
-
-
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
5
Chaouachi et al. (2014)
Soccer
+
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
6
Dello Iacono et al. (2016)
Handball
+
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
6
Dello Iacono et al. (2015)
Handball
+
+
-
+
-
-
+
+
+
+
+
7
Delextrat and Martinez (2014)
Basketball
+
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
6
Dellal et al. (2012)
Soccer
+
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
6
Gabbett (2006)
Rugby
+
-
-
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
5
Gabbett (2008)
Volleyball
+
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
6
Hill-Haas et al. (2009)
Soccer
+
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
6
Harrison et al. (2015)
Field hockey + Rugby
+
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
6
Impellizzeri et al. (2006)
Soccer
+
+
-
+
-
-
-
-
+
+
+
5
Los Arcos et al. (2015)
Soccer
+
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
6
Radziminski et al. (2013)
Soccer
+
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
6
Young and Rogers (2014)
Australian Rules Football
+
+
-
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
6
* : Not included in scoring
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
22
Figures’ legend
Figure 1: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA)
flow-chart.
Figure 2: A forest plot of the effects SSG training on O2max performance.
Figure 3: A forest plot of the effects of SSG training on 10- and 20-m sprint performance.
Figure 4: A forest plot of the effects of SSG training on Jump performance.
Figure 5: A forest plot of the effects of SSG training on agility performance.
Figure 6: A forest plot of the effects of SSG training on intermittent endurance measured by
the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15 IFT).
Figure 7: A forest plot of the effects of SSG training on RSA performance (total sprint time).
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
23
Figure 1
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
24
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2017
25
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
