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

BACKGROUND: Small-sided games (SSGs) represent one of the most popular football-specific training methods; however, their capacity to replicate the external load demands imposed during official competitive matches requires systematic investigation across different formats and competition levels. METHODS: This retrospective observational study compared external load parameters derived from four SSG formats (4vs4 + 3, 8vs8 + 1, 9vs9 + 1, 10vs10) with official match data from twenty professional male footballers (age: 27 ± 5.47 years; body mass: 79.56 ± 8.34 kg; height: 182.30 ± 6.38 cm) competing in the UEFA Conference League, Super League, and National Cup. External load variables including total distance (m), high-speed running distance (> 19.8 km/h), sprint distance (> 25 km/h), high metabolic power distance (> 25 W/kg), acceleration (> 2 m/s²), and deceleration (> 2 m/s²) were collected using 10 Hz GPS technology across 12 weeks of training and official matches. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that the 10vs10 format produced external load values comparable to National Cup matches for multiple parameters, while the 8vs8 + 1 format demonstrated similarity to both Super League and Conference League fixtures. Conversely, the 4vs4 + 3 format was insufficient for approximating match-related physical demands across all parameters examined (p < 0.001). Sprint distance exhibited an exceptionally large effect size (η²=0.968), reflecting the substantial limitation of all SSG formats in approximating match sprint demands. Furthermore, all SSG formats produced significantly elevated acceleration-deceleration values compared to official matches. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that larger SSG formats more closely approximate selected match demands total, high-speed running, high metabolic power), though all SSG formats underrepresent sprint distance and produce elevated acceleration-deceleration frequencies compared to official matches.