Analysis of training load in small sided football games and official matches

Introduction: The incorporation of small-sided games (SSGs) in the training periodization in football has been applied to improve physical, technical, tactical, decision-making abilities, coupled with a recreational aspect by simulating a football match. Objective: To analyze the training load in different types of training with SSGs and official matches (OM). Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive research involving 24 male professional players, with an average age of 26.6 +/- 3.7 years, evaluated at three moments: (1) for the analysis of body composition and cardiorespiratory parameters; (2) where training loads were verified using a smart motion sensor in different SSGs, including variables such as distance covered, high-intensity distance, sprint distance, acceleration/deceleration, maximum speed, sprints, and work rate; and (3) the same protocols were applied in OM. Players were also assessed according to their tactical positions. Results: Maximum speed (p=0.001), distance covered (p=0.001), high-intensity distance (p=0.001) and sprint distance (p=0.001) showed an increase in OM when compared to SSGs (SSGs 8x8 and 6x6 < OM). The number of sprints showed similar behavior in the defense and attack sectors (SSGs 8x8 and 6x6 < OM; p=0.001) and changed in the midfield (SSG 6x6 < OM; p=0.0043). Conclusion: Metrics in SSGs differ from the competitive demands of a game, and players' tactical positioning showed no variation compared to the investigated methods. However, the use of SSGs positively satisfies the workload in training due to the size of the playing field and the relative area per player.