Are small-sided games an effective training methodology for improving fitness in hurling players? A comparative study of training methodologies. Issue 5 (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Malone, Shane; Hughes, Brian; Collins, Kieran D
• Is Part Of: International journal of sports science & coaching. Volume 12:Issue 5(2017)
• Page Start: 685
• Page End: 694
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Heart rate -- maximal aerobic capacity -- repeated sprints -- running economy -- vertical jump -- Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test; Coaching (Athletics) -- Periodicals; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Coaching (Athletics); Sports sciences; Periodicals; 796.077
• DOI: 10.1177/1747954117727887
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-9541

Abstract

The current investigation compared the effects of specific small-sided games training versus generic continuous aerobic training on team sport related exercise performances. Forty-eight hurling players (age: 25 ± 6.4 years; height: 180.2 ± 20.4 cm; mass: 80.5 ± 3.2 kg;V · O 2 max : 58.78 ± 3.05 ml·kg·min −1 ) completed either traditional continuous aerobic training ( n = 24) or team sport-specific small-sided game training ( n = 24), consisting of 4 × 4 min with 3-min active recovery periods completed twice per week. The following outcomes were measured at baseline (pre) and after 10 weeks (post): maximum oxygen uptake (ml·kg −1 ·min −1 ), running economy (ml·kg −1 ·min −1 ), maximal aerobic speed (km·h −1 ), Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (m), Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 2 (m), repeated sprint ability (RSA; s), linear sprint speed over 5, 10 and 20 m (s) and counter-movement jump performance (cm). Training load was quantified by heart rate and rating of perceived exertion during all training sessions with no significant difference between groups ( P = 0.12). Small-sided game ( P = 0.002; d = 1.72; likely beneficial ) had a likely beneficial effect for improving running economy (ml·kg −1 ·min −1 ) in contrast to the unclear effect for continuous training ( P = 0.94; d = 0.21; unclear). Small-sided game ( P = 0.04; d = 0.80; likely beneficial ) had a likely beneficial effect for changes in RSAb (s) and RSAt (s) with these being in contrast to the likely negative effect for continuous training on similar measures ( P = 0.12; d = −2.01; likely negative). Continuous training had a trivial ( P = 0.72; d = 0.30; trivial ) effect on Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (m) performance in contrast to the likely beneficial effect seen for small-sided game ( P = 0.002; d = 1.72; likely beneficial ). Small-sided game ( P = 0.001; d = 1.69; likely beneficial) resulted in a likely beneficial effect for Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 2 (m) performance with a likely negative effect for continuous training ( P = 0.004; d = −2.40; likely negative ). The current study suggests that small-sided games are a time efficient and effective method of improving fitness characteristics within hurling cohorts.