Comparison of technical and physical activities between 8 vs. 8 and 11 vs. 11 games in young Korean soccer players

Abstract

The aims of this study were to examine the differences in technical as-pects and physical demands between small-size games (SSG; 8 vs. 8) and regular-size games (RSG; 11 vs. 11) in young Korean soccer play-ers. Seventy-nine young soccer players from 6 teams (U-12) volun-teered to participate in the study. The players completed 4 games (2 SSG, 62×51 m, and 2 RSG, 80×54 m) in 2 days. Each game was filmed to evaluate technical actions. Physical demand variables were mea-sured using global positioning system technology. SSG showed signifi-cantly greater numbers of technical plays among 17 variables when compared to RSG (P < 0.05). The players covered significantly greater total distance during low-, moderate-, and high-speed running and sprinting in SSG than in RSG (P < 0.05). Higher numbers of high-intensity activities (repeated high-intensity efforts, explosive efforts, decelera-tions, accelerations, and sprinting) were observed in SSG compared to RSG (P < 0.05). Mean heart rate was also higher in SSG than in RSG (P < 0.05). Despite the greater physical demands during SSG, the exer-cise intensity was similar to that reported in previous studies. Therefore, the SSG format applied in the present study can be a suitable official game format for Korean young soccer players, resulting in significantly greater exposure to technical plays without excessive physical de-mands.