Seasonal variations in fitness in female soccer players: the use of small sided games for fitness

Introduction: The use of small-sided games (SSG's) to improve soccer fitness has been well reported. However, the effectiveness of this type of training and success to simulate sport specific fitness has been questioned. The purpose of this study is to determine whether soccer training mainly comprised of SSG's is appropriate for increasing and maintaining fitness throughout the season for semi-elite female players. Methods: After providing written informed consent, thirteen semi-elite female youth soccer players participated for the duration of nine weeks. Testing was performed at the end of the pre-season and at the mid-season point. Following anthropometric measures and a standardised warm-up, participants were tested on; Flexibility, upper and lower body power, agility and speed (with and without the ball), and aerobic capacity. Seven days later, intermittent running ability was tested. Training session and attendance data was collected for the duration of the study. Session components were classed as: 1) Conditioning, 2) Skills, or 3) Tactics and were calculated as a percentage of total training time. T-tests were performed on pre- to mid-season data and significance accepted at α<0.05. Results: At the mid-season point there was no significant change in any of the fitness indices, with the exception of improved flexibility (p<0.01), and decreased lower body power (p