AUTHOR=Clemente Filipe Manuel , Ramirez-Campillo Rodrigo , Afonso José , Sarmento Hugo 

TITLE=Effects of Small-Sided Games vs. Running-Based High-Intensity Interval Training on Physical Performance in Soccer Players: A Meta-Analytical Comparison

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.642703

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2021.642703

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objectives:</bold> This systematic review with meta-analysis (SRMA) was conducted to compare the effects of SSG-based interventions vs. running-based HIIT interventions on soccer players' sprinting time (ST), vertical height jump (VJH), and change of direction time (CODt).</p><p><bold>Data Sources:</bold> The data sources utilized were Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and PubMed.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> An electronic search yielded 650 articles, six of which were included in the present study. Between-group analysis found a significant favoring effect of HIIT-based over SSG-based training interventions for the improvement of linear sprinting time (ES = 0.42; <italic>p</italic> = 0.012). A within-group analysis revealed a significant favoring effect of HIIT-based training interventions for improving linear sprinting time (ES = 0.42; <italic>p</italic> = 0.008) and CODt (ES = 1.04; <italic>p</italic> = 0.005) despite a non-significant effect on VJH (ES = 0.47; <italic>p</italic> = 0.22).</p><p><bold>Conclusions:</bold> The meta-analytical comparison revealed favoring the effect of running-based HIIT over SSG-based interventions in sprinting performance, although no significant differences were observed for jumping and CODt performance. The findings suggest that SSG-based programs should be supplemented by other training methods that benefit determinant capacities in soccer players.</p>