Intensity Of Soccer Players´ Training Load In Small–Sided Games With Different Rule Modifications

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this research was to make reference to the difference in heart rate values (HR) of soccer players in small-sided games (SSG) with different rule modifications. We assumed that the permitted number of ball touches in SSGs will significantly affect the internal load of participating soccer players’ organism. Methods: The experimental group consisted of older junior players (U19) from the FC DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda soccer club (n=6). The HR values were evaluated on the basis of collected data, which were obtained using sport testers and special software. In order to find out the statistical significance of the difference in HR the one-way ANOVAand the Bonferroni post hoc test was used. The level of statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: We found out that by the change of the SSG rules, the internal reaction of players´ organism to training load was at different level. In the SSG1, where players were permitted only one ball contact during the SSG, the highest achieved average HR value of the moni-tored players’ (160.08 9.27 beats.min-1) was recorded. This form of the SSGs was the most intense for the players’cardiovascular system. However, there were no significant differences in HR values among the different types of the SSGs. Conclusions: Our recommendation is to employ small forms of SSGs (3 vs. 3) with different rule modifications in the systematic training process, because by the means of it we can ad-equately prepare the players for the real competitive match demands.