A Comparison of GPS Workload Demands in Match Play and Small-Sided Games by the Positional Role in Youth Soccer

The external demands of small-sided games (SSG’s) according to positional role are currently unknown. Using Catapult Minimax X3 5Hz GPS, with a 100 Hz tri-axial accelerometer, we compared accumulated tri-axial player load per min (PLacc.min-1) during friendly youth MP (11 vs. 11) and SSG’s (2 vs. 2, 3 vs. 3, and 4 vs. 4). Significant differences existed between all SSG’s and MP for PLacc.min-1 (F = 21.91, p<0.001, η2 = 0.38), and individual X (F = 27.40, p<0.001, η2 = 0.43), Y (F = 14.50, p<0.001, η2 = 0.29) and Z (F = 19.28, p<0.001, η2 = 0.35) axis loads. Across all conditions, mean PLacc.min-1 was greater for midfielders (p = 0.004, CI: 0.68, 4.56) and forwards (p = 0.037, CI: 0.08, 3.97) than central defenders. In all conditions, greater Y axis values existed for wide defenders (p = 0.024, CI: 0.67, 1.38), midfielders (p = 0.006, CI: 0.18, 1.50) and forwards (p = 0.007, CI: 0.17, 0.15) compared to central defenders. Midfielders reported greater Z axis values compared to central defenders (p = 0.002, CI: 0.40, 2.23). We conclude SSG’s elicit greater external load than MP, and previous studies may have underestimated the demands of SSG’s.