Research article - (2025)24, 142 - 153
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2025.142
Comparing The Effects of Small-Sided and Medium-Sided Soccer Games on Physical Fitness Adaptations in Untrained Men: A Randomized Controlled Study
Xinjie Han1, Lu Li1, Jiawei Chen2, Weiqiang Xu1, Robert Trybulski3,4, Filipe Manuel Clemente1,5,6,
1Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland
2Hunan Mechanical & Electrical Polytechnic, Hunan, Changsha, China
3Medical Department Wojciech Korfanty, Upper Silesian Academy, Katowice, Poland
4Provita Żory Medical Center, Żory, Poland
5Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
6Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Filipe Manuel Clemente
✉ Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Email: filipe.clemente5@gmail.com
Received: 06-01-2025 -- Accepted: 18-01-2025
Published (online): 01-03-2025

ABSTRACT

Smaller formats of sided games (SSG), such as 1v1 to 4v4, are often reported to be more physically and physiologically demanding than medium-sided games (e.g., 6v6 to 8v8). However, there is a lack of experimental research examining the effects of such stimuli on physical fitness adaptations in untrained men. This study aimed to compare the effects of small-sided games (SSG) and medium-sided games (MSG) on various physical fitness parameters (e.g., outcome 1; outcome 2) in untrained men after an 8-week intervention period. A randomized controlled design was used, comparing two experimental groups with a control group that maintained a sedentary lifestyle, which was confirmed through questionnaires. Sixty men (mean age: 18.8 ± 0.74 years) volunteered for the study. The experimental groups underwent a training intervention three times per week for eight weeks. Participants in the SSG group played games ranging from 1v1 to 3v3, while those in the MSG group engaged in games from 6v6 to 8v8. Before and after the intervention, all participants completed a series of fitness assessments, including the standing long jump (SLJ), vertical jump (VJ), 10- and 30-meter sprints, change of direction (COD), and a 20-meter multi-stage fitness test (MFT). Results revealed that after eight weeks, the SSG group demonstrated significant improvements over the control group in SLJ (p < 0.01; ES = 0.642), VJ (p < 0.01; ES = 0.511), 10-meter sprint (p < 0.01; ES = 0.62), 30-meter sprint (p < 0.01; ES = 0.41), COD (p < 0.01; ES = 0.435), and 20-meter MFT (p < 0.01; ES = 0.64). Similarly, the MSG group showed significant gains compared to the control group in SLJ (p < 0.01; ES = 0.541), VJ (p < 0.01; ES = 0.439), 10-meter sprint (p < 0.01; ES = 0.451), 30-meter sprint (p < 0.01; ES = 0.25), COD (p < 0.01; ES = 0.523), and 20-meter MFT (p < 0.01; ES = 0.693). In conclusion, this study shows that both SSG and MSG are equally effective in enhancing physical fitness parameters in untrained men, despite slight variations in intensity.

Key words: Football, conditioned games, physical exercise, health, aerobic exercise

Key Points
  • Both small-sided (SSG) and medium-sided (MSG) soccer games significantly improved physical fitness in untrained men, including aerobic capacity, muscle strength, sprint performance, and agility.
  • Both SSG and MSG are effective, practical options for improving physical fitness, providing flexibility for coaches and athletes to choose based on preference or availability.








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