Physiological demand in small-sided games on soccer with different orientation of space

The aim of the study was to investigate whether different small-sided game (SSG) formats produced small variations in the physiological demand to the players. To do this we selected a situation with no oriented space or maintenance (JRM), and two space-oriented situations: one with goalkeepers and regulatory goals (JRP), and another with small goals and no goalkeepers (JRpp). All other variables remained constant: the pitch size, number of players and rules. Also, we studied whether there were differences for different demarcation occupied by the players. 18 amateur soccer players from the same team of senior category participated in the study, completing 3 sessions, reduced with 3 games each of them (JRM, JRpp and JRP). We quantified the average heart rate (HRmean) obtained in each SSG, maximum heart rate (HRmax) and percentage values. In addition, we studied the percentage of time in different ranges of intensity. The results indicate that changing the orientation of the space in the game affect the intensity, producing values of HRmean (%) higher in the JRM and JRpp than the JRP (p < 0.05). In addition, the demarcation occupied by the player affects the physiological response (p < 0.05). Sports trainers can manipulate the orientation of space to modulate the intensity of SSG, demanding a greater or lesser extent in certain players demarcations depending on the SSG proposed.