Effects of Small-Sided Games and Repeated Sprint Training in Young Soccer Players

Effects of Small-Sided Games and Repeated Sprint Training on Body Composition, Anaerobic Power, and Selected Biomotor Characteristics in Young Male Soccer Players

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of 6-week Small-Sided Games (SSG) and Repeated Sprint Training (RST) on body composition, anaerobic power, and selected physical performance qualities in young male soccer players. A total of 24 active male soccer players (aged 16 to 20 years) participating in the Regional Amateur League were randomly assigned into three equal groups: Small-Sided Games Group (SSGG) completing a 4 vs. 4 transition possession game 3 days a week in addition to routine training, Repeated Sprint Training Group (RSTG) completing a 20-meter maximal repeated sprint protocol 3 days a week in addition to routine training, and Control Group (CG) continuing only their routine soccer practice schedule. Before and after the 6-week intervention, participants underwent laboratory and field testing to evaluate body composition (body fat percentage, fat-free mass, BMI), acceleration and maximal speed (10m and 20m sprint tests), agility (Illinois Agility Test), explosive lower-body power (countermovement jump), and maximal anaerobic power (30-second Wingate test) to determine which specific training method provides superior athletic adaptations.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Athletic Performance; Physical Fitness
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Small-Sided Games Protocol; Behavioral: Routine Soccer Training; Behavioral: Repeated Sprint Protocol

Detailed Description

High-intensity intermittent actions, such as accelerations, change-of-direction movements, jumps, and repeated sprints, are critical determinants of competitive performance in soccer. To optimize these physical attributes, coaches commonly utilize Small-Sided Games (SSG) and Repeated Sprint Training (RST). However, comparative evidence regarding the specific adaptations induced by these two distinct conditioning strategies alongside regular soccer practice remains crucial for athletic periodization.

This 6-week randomized controlled trial evaluated 24 young male soccer players randomly allocated into three parallel arms (n=8 per group): SSGG, RSTG, and a Control Group (CG).

Training Protocols:

• SSGG Protocol: Performed a "4 vs. 4 Transition Possession" format on two adjacent zones 3 days per week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays) after the technical section of regular practice. Training volume progressed from 3 sets x 3 min (weeks 1-2) to 4 sets x 3 min (weeks 3-4) and 4 sets x 4 min (weeks 5-6), with 2-minute passive recovery between sets.
• RSTG Protocol: Performed 20-meter linear maximal sprints with 20 seconds of active recovery (slow walking) between repetitions and 3-4 minutes of passive rest between sets. Volume progressed from 2 sets x 6 reps (weeks 1-2) to 2 sets x 8 reps (weeks 3-4) and 3 sets x 6 reps (weeks 5-6).
• Control Group: Maintained standard soccer training sessions planned by the head coach, without any additional physical conditioning intervention.

Assessments:

Body composition parameters were evaluated via bioelectrical impedance analysis (Tanita BC-418 MA). Laboratory testing included the 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test (Monark 834 E) with a load equal to 7.5% of body weight to assess peak and mean anaerobic power. Field testing included 10m and 20m sprint times using electronic photocells (Smart Speed Lite), change-of-direction performance via the Illinois Agility Test, and lower-body explosive power via the Countermovement Jump test (Smart Jump mat).

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 24
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Central
    • Muş, Central, Turkey (Türkiye), 49100
      • Football Facilities of the Mus Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports / Mus Alparslan University Exercise Physiology Laboratory

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Active male soccer players competing in the Regional Amateur League (BAL)
• Age between 16 and 20 years
• Voluntary participation with signed informed consent (and parental consent for minors)
• No history of severe musculoskeletal injuries or orthopedic surgeries in the lower extremities within the past 6 months
• Regular participation in team soccer practices

Exclusion Criteria:

• Missing more than 10% of the scheduled training sessions during the 6-week intervention
• Occurrence of any acute musculoskeletal injury or illness preventing full participation in tests or training
• Simultaneous participation in external structured strength or conditioning programs outside the study protocol
• Failure to complete all pre- or post-intervention performance tests

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Other
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Small-Sided Games Group (SSGG); Participants performed a 4 vs. 4 directional possession game ("4v4 Transition Possession") in addition to their routine soccer training, 3 days per week for 6 weeks.	Behavioral: Small-Sided Games Protocol; 4 vs. 4 transition possession game played 3 days/week for 6 weeks. Loading progressed from 3 sets x 3 min (weeks 1-2) to 4 sets x 3 min (weeks 3-4) and 4 sets x 4 min (weeks 5-6), with 2 min rest between sets.; Behavioral: Routine Soccer Training; Standard technical, tactical, and physical conditioning soccer training sessions directed by the team's head coach.
Experimental: Repeated Sprint Training Group (RSTG); Participants performed a 20-meter repeated sprint training protocol (100% maximal effort, 20s active rest between repetitions, 3-4 min rest between sets) in addition to their routine soccer training, 3 days per week for 6 weeks.	Behavioral: Routine Soccer Training; Standard technical, tactical, and physical conditioning soccer training sessions directed by the team's head coach.; Behavioral: Repeated Sprint Protocol; 20-meter linear repeated sprints at 100% maximal effort 3 days/week for 6 weeks. Loading progressed from 2 sets x 6 reps (weeks 1-2) to 2 sets x 8 reps (weeks 3-4) and 3 sets x 6 reps (weeks 5-6), with 20s active recovery between reps and 3-4 min rest between sets.
Active Comparator: Control Group (Routine Soccer Training); Participants engaged exclusively in their regular team soccer training sessions (technical, tactical, and conditioning drills) 3 days per week for 6 weeks, without any additional specialized sprint or small-sided game interventions.	Behavioral: Routine Soccer Training; Standard technical, tactical, and physical conditioning soccer training sessions directed by the team's head coach.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
10-Meter Sprint Time	Measured using a wireless photocell timing gate system (Smart Speed Lite) to evaluate short-distance acceleration. The best time of two trials was recorded in seconds.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)
20-Meter Sprint Time	Measured using a wireless photocell timing gate system (Smart Speed Lite) to evaluate maximal linear speed. The best time of two trials was recorded in seconds.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)
Illinois Agility Test Time	Evaluated using electronic photocell gates to assess change-of-direction ability and reactivity on a 10x5 meter course. The best time of two trials was recorded in seconds.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)
Countermovement Jump Height	Lower-body explosive power was measured using a jump mat system (Smart Speed Lite Smart Jump). Participants performed maximal vertical jumps with hands on hips. The best height of two trials was recorded in centimeters.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)
Wingate Peak Power	Maximal anaerobic power evaluated via a 30-second Wingate Anaerobic Test on a Monark 834 E bicycle ergometer with a load equal to 7.5% of body weight. Expressed in Watts per kilogram (W/kg).	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)
Wingate Mean Power	Anaerobic capacity evaluated via a 30-second Wingate test. Expressed in Watts per kilogram (W/kg).	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Body Fat Percentage	Evaluated via bioelectrical impedance analysis using Tanita BC-418 MA to measure total body fat percentage (%).	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)
Fat-Free Mass	Evaluated via bioelectrical impedance analysis using Tanita BC-418 MA to assess lean body mass in kilograms.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)
Body Mass Index	Calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²) using Tanita BC-418 MA.	Baseline (Week 0) and Post-intervention (Week 6)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Bitlis Eren University
• Collaborators: Muş Alparslan University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Muhammed Z Kahraman, PhD, Bitlis Eren University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): January 12, 2026
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 28, 2026
• Study Completion (Actual): June 11, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 2, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 2, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): September 8, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): September 9, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 4, 2026
• Last Verified: September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Soccer; Body Composition; Agility; Anaerobic Power; Repeated Sprint Training; Small-Sided Games
• Other Study ID Numbers: BEU-ANT-MZK-03

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: IPD will not be made publicly available to protect participant privacy and maintain confidentiality. Aggregated statistical data and summary results are fully presented within the published study/thesis and are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable academic request.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No