The effect of pitch dimensions on heart rate responses and technical demands of small-sided soccer games in elite players

The aim of this study was to examine the impact of changes in pitch size on heart rate responses and technical requirements of small-sided soccer games. Eight male soccer players participated in the study (mean ± S.D.; age 18 ± 1 years, height 1.80 ± 0.1 m, weight 73.3 ± 6.2 kg, estimated V˙O2 peak 50.0 ± 3.2 ml kg−1 min−1). All players participated in small-sided games on three different pitch sizes (SSG1, 30 m × 20 m; SSG2, 40 m × 30 m; SSG3, 50 m × 40 m). Games consisted of 4 × 4 min of game play, interspersed by 2 min of active recovery. Heart rate measurements were made using a team-based monitoring system. Each game was also filmed to evaluate the technical actions. These tapes were analysed using a hand notation system. Mean ± S.D. heart rates for the three games were not significantly different between conditions (SSG1, 175 ± 9; SSG2, 173 ± 11; SSG3, 169 ± 6). The technical actions that changed as a result of changes in pitch size were the number of tackles (SSG1, 45 ± 10; SSG2, 15 ± 4; P < 0.05) and shots (SSG1, 85 ± 15; SSG 2, 60 ± 18; SSG3, 44 ± 9; P < 0.05). Comparisons between the four 4 min intervals of game play indicated significant differences for both heart rate responses and the technical demands. These results demonstrate that changes in pitch size do not alter heart rate or the majority of technical requirements observed within small-sided games.