@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{DaviesDruryRamirezCampilloetal.2021, author = {Davies, Michael J. and Drury, Benjamin and Ramirez-Campillo, Rodrigo and Chaabene, Helmi and Moran, Jason}, title = {Effect of plyometric training and biological maturation on jump and change of direction ability in female youth}, series = {Journal of strength and conditioning research : the research journal of the NSCA / National Strength \& Conditioning Association}, volume = {35}, journal = {Journal of strength and conditioning research : the research journal of the NSCA / National Strength \& Conditioning Association}, number = {10}, publisher = {Lippincott Williams \& Wilkins}, address = {Philadelphia}, issn = {1064-8011}, doi = {10.1519/JSC.0000000000003216}, pages = {2690 -- 2697}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Biological maturation has been shown to affect male youths' responses to plyometric training (PT). However, to date, no researcher has examined the effect of maturation on the effects of PT in female youth. We undertook the first controlled intervention study to examine this, focusing on adaptive responses to countermovement jump (CMJ), reactive strength index (RSI), and change of direction (COD) performance in groups of female youth divided by maturation status (years from peak height velocity [PHV]). The training program lasted 7 weeks with subjects undertaking 2 sessions of PT per week. In the mid-PHV group, there was a small increase (effect size; 90\% confidence interval = 0.40; -0.23 to 1.03) in CMJ performance. No changes were observed in the post-PHV group (0.02; -0.68 to 0.72). For RSI, there was a moderate increase in the mid-PHV group (0.94; 0.29-1.59) with only a trivial increase in the post-PHV group (0.06; -0.65 to 0.76). The intervention exerted no positive effect on COD performance in any group. Plyometric training seems to enhance CMJ and RSI in female youth, although the magnitude of adaptation could be affected by maturation status. A twice-per-week program of multidirectional jumping and hopping, with bilateral and unilateral components, can be used as a preparatory precursor to physical education classes or recreational sport.}, language = {en} }