Comparative analysis of performance data from various small-sided games with match data

Small-sided games are among the most popular training methods specific to football. However, it is crucial to evaluate the external loads that small-sided games, which encompass numerous variables, impose on professional footballers, considering the matches. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the external loads of 4vs4+3, 8vs8+1, 9vs9+1, and 10vs10 games performed by professional footballers in comparison with high-level competitive matches, including the UEFA Europa Conference League, the Super League, and the Turkish Cup. Twenty professional footballers (27±5.47 years, 79.56±8.34 kg, 182.3±6.38 cm) from Istanbul Başakşehir Football Club's A team voluntarily participated in the study. Performance data of the participants were tracked throughout 12 weeks of small-sided games and 12 weeks of official matches. During the entire research process, total distance, high-intensity running distance, sprint distance, high metabolic power distance, and acceleration-deceleration values were recorded using GPS. The findings indicate that 4vs4+3 games are insufficient in representing the external loads of matches (p˂0.001), whereas 10vs10 and 8vs8+1 games provide results more similar to actual matches. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that, within the context of training program design, the selection of small-sided games by coaches can be guided by which games most effectively yield the targeted external load parameters.