@misc{MoranBlagroveDruryetal.2019,
  author    = {Moran, Jason and Blagrove, Richard C. and Drury, Benjamin and Fernandes, John F. T. and Paxton, Kevin and Chaabene, Helmi and Ramirez-Campillo, Rodrigo},
  title     = {Effects of Small-Sided Games vs. Conventional Endurance Training on Endurance Performance in Male Youth Soccer Players: A Meta-Analytical Comparison},
  series = {Sports medicine},
  volume    = {49},
  journal   = {Sports medicine},
  number    = {5},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Northcote},
  issn      = {0112-1642},
  doi       = {10.1007/s40279-019-01086-w},
  pages     = {731 -- 742},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Background Small-sided games have been suggested as a viable alternative to conventional endurance training to enhance endurance performance in youth soccer players. This has important implications for long-term athlete development because it suggests that players can increase aerobic endurance through activities that closely resemble their sport of choice. Data Sources The data sources utilised were Google Scholar, PubMed and Microsoft Academic. Study Eligibility Criteria Studies were eligible for inclusion if interventions were carried out in male soccer players (aged < 18years) and compared the effects of small-sided games and conventional endurance training on aerobic endurance performance. We defined small-sided games as modified [soccer] games played on reduced pitch areas, often using adapted rules and involving a smaller number of players than traditional games. We defined conventional endurance training as continuous running or extensive interval training consisting of work durations>3min. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Methods The inverse-variance random-effects model for meta-analyses was used because it allocates a proportionate weight to trials based on the size of their individual standard errors and facilitates analysis whilst accounting for heterogeneity across studies. Effect sizes were represented by the standardised mean difference and presented alongside 95\% confidence intervals. Results Seven studies were included in this meta-analysis. Both modes of training were effective in increasing endurance performance. Within-mode effect sizes were both of moderate magnitude [small-sided games: 0.82 (95\% confidence interval 0.05, 1.60), Z=2.07 (p=0.04); conventional endurance training: 0.89 (95\% confidence interval 0.06, 1.72), Z=2.10 (p=0.04)]. There were only trivial differences [0.04 (95\% confidence interval -0.36, 0.43), Z=0.18 (p=0.86)] between the effects on aerobic endurance performance of small-sided games and conventional endurance training. Subgroup analyses showed mostly trivial differences between the training methods across key programming variables such as set duration (>= or < 4 min) and recovery period between sets (>= or< 3min). Programmes that were longer than 8 weeks favoured small-sided games [effect size=0.45 (95\% confidence interval -0.12, 1.02), Z=1.54 (p=0.12)], with the opposite being true for conventional endurance training [effect size=-0.33 (95\% confidence interval -0.79, 0.14), Z=1.39 (p=0.16)]. Programmes with more than 4 sets per session favoured small-sided games [effect size=0.53 (95\% confidence interval -0.52, 1.58), Z=0.98 (p=0.33)] with only a trivial difference between those with 4, or fewer, sets [effect size=-0.13 (95\% confidence interval -0.52, 0.26), Z=0.65 (p=0.52)]. Conclusions Small-sided games are as effective as conventional endurance training for increasing aerobic endurance performance in male youth soccer players. This is important for practitioners as it means that small-sided games can allow both endurance and skills training to be carried out simultaneously, thus providing a more efficient training stimulus. Small-sided games offer the same benefits as conventional endurance training with two sessions per week, with4 sets of 4 min of activity, interspersed with recovery periods of 3min, recommended in this population.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MoranPaxtonJonesetal.2020,
  author    = {Moran, Jason and Paxton, Kevin and Jones, Ben and Granacher, Urs and Sandercock, Gavin Rh and Hope, Edward and Ramirez-Campillo, Rodrigo},
  title     = {Variable long-term developmental trajectories of short sprint speed and jumping height in English Premier League academy soccer players: an applied case study},
  series = {Journal of sports sciences},
  volume    = {38},
  journal   = {Journal of sports sciences},
  number    = {22},
  publisher = {Routledge, Taylor \& Francis Group},
  address   = {London},
  issn      = {0264-0414},
  doi       = {10.1080/02640414.2020.1792689},
  pages     = {2525 -- 2531},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Growth and maturation affect long term physical performance, making the appraisal of athletic ability difficult. We sought to longitudinally track youth soccer players to assess the developmental trajectory of athletic performance over a 6-year period in an English Premier League academy. Age-specific z-scores were calculated for sprint and jump performance from a sample of male youth soccer players (n = 140). A case study approach was used to analyse the longitudinal curves of the six players with the longest tenure. The trajectories of the sprint times of players 1 and 3 were characterised by a marked difference in respective performance levels up until peak height velocity (PHV) when player 1 achieved a substantial increase in sprint speed and player 3 experienced a large decrease. Player 5 was consistently a better performer than player 2 until PHV when the sprint and jump performance of the former markedly decreased and he was overtaken by the latter. Fluctuations in players' physical performance can occur quickly and in drastic fashion. Coaches must be aware that suppressed, or inflated, performance could be temporary and selection and deselection decisions should not be made based on information gathered over a short time period.},
  language  = {en}
}