Effect of formation,ball in play and ball possession on peak demands in elite soccer

This study examined the most demanding passages of match play (MDP) and the effects of playing formation, ball-in-play (BiP) time and ball possession on the 1-min peak (1-min_peak) demand in elite soccer. During 18 official matches, 305 individual samples from 223 Italian Serie A soccer players were collected. MDP and 1-min_peak were calculated across playing position (central defenders, wide defenders, central midfielders, wide midfielders, wide forwards and forwards). Maximum relative (m·min^-1) total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR), very high-speed running (VHSR), sprint (SPR), acceleration/deceleration (Acc/Dec), estimated metabolic power (P_met) and high-metabolic load (HML) distance were calculated across different durations (1–5, 10, 90 min) using a rolling method. Additionally, 1-min_peak demand was compared across playing formation (3-4-1-2, 3-4-2-1, 3-5-2, 4-3-3, 4-4-2), BiP and ball/no-ball possession cycles. MDP showed large to verylarge [effect-size (ES): 1.20/4.06] differences between 1-min_peak vs all durations for each parameter. In 1-min_peak, central midfielders and wide midfielders achieved greater TD and HSR (ES:0.43/1.13) while wide midfielders and wide forwards showed greater SPR and Acc/Dec (ES:0.30/1.15) than other positions. For VHSR, SPR and Acc/Dec 1-min_peak showed fourfold higher locomotor requirements than 90-min. 1-min_peak for Acc/Dec was highest in 4-3-3 for forwards, central and wide midfielders. 1-min_Peak was lower during peak BiP (BiP_peak) for HSR, VHSR and Acc/Dec (ES: -2.57/-1.42). Comparing with vs without ball possession, BiP_peak was greater (ES: 0.06/1.48) in forwards and wide forwards and lower (ES: -2.12/-0.07) in central defenders and wide defenders. Positional differences in MDP, 1-min_peak and BiP_peak were observed. Soccer-specific drills should account for positional differences when conditioning players for the peak demands. This may help practitioners to bridge the training/match gap.     

Training elite youth soccer players: area per player in small-sided games to replicate the match demands

The aim was to determine the area per player (ApP, m² × player) in small- or large-sided games to replicate the official match demands in elite youth soccer players. Two hundred and twenty-eight players (U15 = 36, U16 = 48, U17 = 49, U18 = 37 and U19 = 58) were monitored during both training (12 183 individual samples) and matches (683 individual samples) across five seasons. Relative (m × min^-1) total (TD), high-speed running (HSR), very high-speed running (VHSR), sprint and acceleration/deceleration (Acc/Dec) distance were collected. Between-category and between-position comparisons were performed. Area per player was moderately correlated (P < 0.05) with TD (r = 0.401), large (r = 0.621) with HSR, and very largely with VHSR (r = 0.744) and sprint (r = 0.723). An inverse small (r = -0.232; P = 0.039) correlation for Acc/Dec was found. The area per player to replicate the match demands was 158 ± 18, 182 ± 32, 197 ± 37, 212 ± 42 and 156 ± 25 m² × player for TD, HSR, VHSR, sprint and Acc/Dec, respectively. Moderate to very large (ES: 0.79 to 4.66) differences in the area per player across metrics were observed, with sprint > VHSR > HSR > TD = Acc/Dec. Trivial to very large (ES: 0.01 to 2.67) between-category differences in area per player across the same metric were found, with U15 and U16 requiring a larger area per player than other age categories. These findings may help practitioners to recreate the desired external load outcomes with regards to positional match-play demands using specific area per player in small- or large-sided games in youth elite soccer players from U15 to U19.     

Quantifying training load and intensity in elite male ice hockey according to game-related contextual variables

We aimed to quantify training load (TL) and intensity during practice sessions according to game-related contextual variables (game outcome, opponent standard, game location) in an elite male ice hockey team. Practice data were collected using a wearable 200-Hz accelerometer, heart rate (HR) recording, and session-rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) throughout 23 sessions (n = 306 files). The reference team performed a greater number of accelerations, decelerations, spent longer time > 85% maximum HR (t85%HR_max) and reported greater s-RPE after losing a game compared to a win (r = 0.13–0.19). Moreover, a lower number of accelerations, decelerations, t85%HR_max and s-RPE (r = 0.15–0.45) were found before playing against a top-ranked opponent. In contrast, more accelerations, decelerations, longer t85%HR_max and greater s-RPE were observed after playing against a top-ranked team opponent (r = 0.15–0.41). The players performed more accelerations/min, spent more t85%HR_max and reported greater s-RPE before playing an away game (r = 0.13–0.22). Weekly TL seems to slightly increase after losing a game, when preparing a game against a weaker opponent, after playing against a stronger opponent, and when preparing an away game. On the other hand, training intensity seems not to be affected by game-related contextual variables. Thus, ice hockey practitioners involved with TL monitoring should consider the interplay of the numerous variables that influence the volume of prescribed training and the actual training responses in each individual player.     

Practices of strength and conditioning coaches in Brazilian elite soccer

Brazil is the leading global exporter of soccer players, with approximately 2,000 international transfers to different clubs per year. Although Brazilian players compete in the most prestigious soccer leagues worldwide, the habitual training methods, strategies, and routines of Brazilian soccer strength and conditioning coaches (SCCs) are undocumented. This study used a standard online survey to collect and characterize the strength and conditioning practices of Brazilian soccer SCCs. Forty-nine SCCs (age: 40.4 ± 7.5 years; professional experience: 15.3 ± 7.5 years) working in Brazilian professional soccer teams participated in this study. The survey consisted of eight sections: 1) background information; 2) muscular strength-power development; 3) speed training; 4) plyometrics; 5) flexibility training; 6) physical testing; 7) technology use; and 8) programing. Results indicated that training and testing practices of Brazilian SCCs are strongly affected by the congested fixture schedules, extensive traveling distances, and socio-economic disparities between different regions of the country. We describe all these different strategies and methods in detail, providing a comprehensive view and a critical examination of Brazilian soccer strength and conditioning practices. Brazilian SCCs and professional soccer organizations can use the findings from this study to develop training strategies and customize education programs. Practitioners from other countries can use this information to design training programs closely tailored to the background of Brazilian athletes, which may support their adaptation to different competitive scenarios and game demands, such as those found in the most important soccer leagues worldwide.     

The first,second, and third most demanding passages of play in professional soccer: a longitudinal study

The study aimed to compare the physical demands required during the first, second, and third most demanding passages (MDP) of play considering the effect of playing position, type of passage, and passage duration. A longitudinal study for three mesocycles was conducted in a professional soccer team competing in LaLiga123. Tracking systems collected total distance covered (DIS), high-speed running distance (HSRD), sprinting distance (SPD), total of high-intensity accelerations (ACC_HIGH), and total of high-intensity decelerations (DEC_HIGH). The results confirmed that a significant effect of the type of passage (first, second or third MDP of play) on DIS (F_{(1.24, 178.89)} = 115.53; p = 0.01; ηp² = 0.45), HSRD (F_{(1.35, 195.36)} = 422.82; p = 0.01; ηp² = 0.75), SPD (F_{(1.43, 206.59)} = 299.99; p = 0.01; ηp² = 0.68), ACC_HIGH (F_{(1.45, 209.38)} = 268.59; p = 0.01; ηp² = 0.65), and DEC_HIGH (F_{(1.45, 209.38)} = 324.88; p = 0.01; ηp² = 0.69) was found. In addition, a significant interaction between playing position, type and duration of the passage was observed in DIS (F_{(12.60, 453.47)} = 1.98; p = 0.02; ηp² = 0.05) and ACC_HIGH (F_{(13.99, 503.78)} = 1.92; p = 0.03; ηp² = 0.06). In conclusion, significant differences in physical demands between the first, second, and third MDP of play were observed. However, there were some cases (DIS and ACC_HIGH) in which no significant differences were found between these passages. Therefore, coaches should consider not only the magnitude of these peak intensity periods (e.g., distance covered per minute) but also the number of passages that players may experience during match play.     

Positional and temporal differences in peak match running demands of elite football

Temporal changes in the total running demands of professional football competition have been well documented, with absolute running demands decreasing in the second half. However, it is unclear whether the peak match running demands demonstrate a similar decline. A total of 508 GPS files were collected from 44 players, across 68 matches of the Australian A-League. GPS files were split into the 1^st and 2^nd half, with the peak running demands of each half quantified across 10 moving average durations (1–10 min) for three measures of running performance (total distance, high-speed distance [> 19.8 km · h⁻¹] and average acceleration). Players were categorised based on positional groups: attacking midfielder (AM), central defender (CD), defensive midfielder (DM), striker (STR), wide defender (WD) and winger (WNG). Linear mixed models and effect sizes were used to identify differences between positional groups and halves. Peak running demands were lower in the second half for STR across all three reported metrics (ES = 0.60–0.84), with peak average acceleration lower in the second half for DM, WD and WNG (ES = 0.60–0.70). Irrespective of match half, AM covered greater peak total distances than CD, STR, WD and WIN (ES = 0.60–2.08). Peak high-speed distances were greater across both halves for WIN than CD, DM and STR (ES = 0.78–1.61). Finally, STR had lower peak average acceleration than all positional groups across both halves (ES = 0.60–1.12). These results may help evaluate implemented strategies that attempt to mitigate reductions in second half running performance and inform position specific training practices.     

Short-term effects of on-field combined core strength and small-sided games training on physical performance in young soccer players

This study aimed to compare the effects of 6-weeks combined core strength and small-sided games training (SSG_core) vs. small-sided games (SSG) training on the physical performance of young soccer players. Thirty-eight amateur soccer players (age: 16.50 ± 0.51 years) were randomly assigned to either a SSG_core (n = 20) or a SSG group (n = 18). The SSG_core group performed upper and lower body core strength exercises combined with SSG including 2-, 3- and 4-a-sided soccer games third a week. The SSG group performed only the SSG periodization. Baseline and after the 6-week training period the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (YYIRTL-1), 5–20-m sprint test, countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), triple-hop distance (THD), zigzag agility with ball (ZAWB) and without ball (ZAWOB), three corner run test (TCRT) and Y-balance test. The SSG_core group demonstrated meaningful improvements in 20 m sprint time (SSG_core: -9.1%, d = 1.42; SSG: -4.4%, d = 0.76), CMJ (SSG_core: 11.4%, d = 2.67; SSG: -7.7%, d = 1.43), SJ (SSG_core: 12.0%, d = 2.14; SSG: 5.7%, d = 1.28), THD (SSG_core: 5.0%, d = 1.39; SSG: 2.7%, d = 0.52) and TCRT (SSG_core: -3.7%, d = 0.69; SSG: -1.9%, d = 0.38). Furthermore, the SSG_core group demonstrated meaningfully higher improvement responses in both leg balance score (d = ranging from 2.11 to 2.75) compared with SSG group. These results suggest that the inclusion of core strength training to a SSG periodization is greatly effective to improve speed and strength-based conditioning in young soccer players.     

Accelerometry-based variables in professional soccer players: comparisons between periods of the season and playing positions

The aim of this study was to provide reference data of variation in external training loads for weekly periods within the annual season. Specifically, we aimed to compare the weekly acute load, monotony, and training strain of accelerometry-based measures across a professional soccer season (pre-season, first and second halves of the season) according to players’ positions. Nineteen professional players were monitored daily for 45 weeks using an 18-Hz global positioning system to obtain measures of high metabolic load distance (HMLD), impacts, and high intensity accelerations and decelerations. Workload indices of acute load, training monotony, and training strain were calculated weekly for each of the measures. The HMLD had greater training strain values in the pre-season than in the first (p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.793) and second halves of the season (p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.858). Comparisons between playing positions showed that midfielders had the highest weekly acute load of HMLD (6901 arbitrary units [AU]), while central defenders had the lowest (4986 AU). The pre-season period was associated with the highest acute and strain load of HMLD and number of impacts, with a progressive decrease seen during the season. In conclusion, coaches should consider paying greater attention to variations in HMLD and impacts between periods of the season and between players to individualize training accordingly.     

River phytoplankton prediction model by Artificial Neural Network: Model performance and selection of input variables to predict time-series phytoplankton proliferations in a regulated river system

In this study, a comparison between statistical regression model and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is given on the effectiveness of ecological model of phytoplankton dynamics in a regulated river. From the results of the study, the effectiveness of ANN over statistical method was proposed. Also feasible direction of increasing ANN models' performance was provided. A hypertrophic river data was used to develop prediction models (chlorophyll a (chl. a) 41.7 ± 56.8 μg L^− 1; n = 406). Higher time-series predictability was found from the ANN model. Failure of statistical methods would be due to the complex nature of ecological data in the regulated river ecosystems. Reduction of ANN model size by decreasing the number of input variables according to the sensitivity analysis did not have effectiveness with respect to the predictability on testing data set (RMSE of the ANN with all 27 variables, 25.7; 47.9 from using 2 highly sensitive variables; 42.9 from using 5 sensitive variables; 33.1 from using 15 variables). Even though the ANN model presented high performance in prediction accuracy, more efficient methods of selecting feasible input information are strongly requested for the prediction of freshwater ecological dynamics.     

Effects of congested match periods on acceleration and deceleration profiles in professional soccer

The aim of the present study was to analyse the influence of congested periods of matches on the acceleration (Acc) and deceleration (Dec) profiles of elite soccer players. Twenty-three elite male professional soccer players participated in the study across 31 official matches. Assessed periods included: (i) congested periods (three to four days between games), and (ii) non-congested periods (more than four days between games). Physical activity during matches was recorded during games using a 10Hz global positioning system device, coupled with a 100 Hz accelerometer, and was analysed according to the periods. Maximal Acc- (73.2 ± 20.3 vs. 84.918.5 m), high Acc- (244.0 ± 49.5 vs. 267.0 ± 37.8 m), maximal Dec- (139.0 ± 44.8 vs. 152.039.3 m) and the total decelerating- distance (5132 ± 690 vs. 5245 ± 552 m) were lower in congested than in non-congested periods (p < 0.05, effect size 0.31–0.70). Neither a main effect of playing position nor a period*playing position interaction on Acc and Dec were observed (p > 0.05). It was concluded that Acc and Dec match activities were significantly affected during congested periods compared to non-congested highlighting a possible fatigue accumulation being responsible for the observed decrement in physical activity. Monitoring Acc and Dec metrics throughout particular periods of congested fixtures amongst professional soccer teams is advised and may be a way to assess physical and fatigue status.     

Morphological, motor and situation-motor characteristics of elite female handball players according to playing performance and position

The aim of the study was to define biomotor characteristics that determine playing performance and position in female handball. A battery of 13 variables consisting of somatotype components (3 variables), basic motor abilities (5 variables) and specific motor abilities (5 variables) were applied in a sample of 52 elite female handball players. Differences in biomotor characteristics according to playing performance and position of female handball players were determined by use of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and discriminative analysis. Study results showed the high-quality female handball players to predominantly differ from the less successful ones in the specific factor of throw strength and basic dash factor, followed by the specific abilities of movement without and with ball, basic coordination/agility and specific ability of ball manipulation, and a more pronounced mesomorphic component. Results also revealed the wing players to be superior in the speed of movement frequency (psychomotor speed), run (explosive strength) and speed of movement with ball as compared with players at other playing positions. Also, endomorphic component was less pronounced in players at the wing and back player positions as compared with goalkeeper and pivot positions, where endomorphic component was considerably more pronounced.     

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on match activity and physical performance in professional football referees

To investigate the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on match-play metrics in professional football referees during official matches of the Spanish professional leagues. Forty-two professional football referees from the First (n = 20) and Second Division (n = 22) were monitored during 564 official games using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. Data of matches before lockdown were compared to matches after resumption of the competition. Compared to pre-lockdown, in the referees of the First Division there was a decrease in the total running distance and the distance covered at all speed thresholds > 6 km · h^-1 after lockdown (P < .05). In the Second Division referees, the post-lockdown measurement only showed a decrease in the running distance at 21–24 km · h^-1 (P < .05), with no changes in the other speed thresholds. The post-lockdown measurement showed an increased distance covered at < 6 km · h^-1 and the number of accelerations for both First and Second Division referees (P < .05). Referees’ match activity was reduced due to the COVID-19 lockdown, while the effect on running parameters was more pronounced in First Division referees.     

Effect of training day,match, and length of the microcycle on workload periodization in professional soccer players: a full-season study

The aims of this study were to: (a) describe and compare the volume and intensity from the workload of professional soccer players between training and MD, and (b) analyse the effect that the length of the microcycle had on the workload. A cohort study was designed for a full season in La Liga 123. Wearable tracking systems collected the distance covered in meters (m), total number of high-intensity accelerations (ACC_HIGH) and decelerations (DEC_HIGH), total number of high-speed running actions (HSRA), high-speed running distance (HSRD), high metabolic load distance (HMLD), and player load (PL) from training days (MD+1, MD-4, MD-3, MD-2, and MD-1) and MD. Significant differences were found between training and MD workload, MD workload being the most demanding for all intensity and volume variables (F = 36.35–753.94; p < 0.01; w_p² = 0.21–0.85). The greatest training intensity and volume were found on MD-4 and MD-3 (p < 0.05). In addition, a novel finding was that the length of the microcycle had a significant effect on the workload both in volume and intensity (F = 4.84–14.19; p < 0.01; w_p² = 0.03–0.09), except for relative ACC_HIGH, DEC_HIGH, and HMLD. Although MD-4 and MD-3 were the most suitable days for loading the players, the results showed that MD elicited a unique stimulus in terms of volume and intensity. Consequently, coaches need to include specific training drills to adapt the players for the competitive demands. Finally, special focus should be placed on MD from short and regular microcycles (5-day, 6-day, or 7-day microcycles) since declines in physical performance were observed in comparison with long microcycles (8-day or 9-day microcycles).     

Acute effects of small-sided games combined with running drills on internal and external loads in young soccer players

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of regular small-sided games (SSGreg) and SSGs combined with running drills (SSGcom) on players’ internal and external loads. Eighteen young male soccer players (average age: 18.2 ± 0.5 years) participated in 3 vs. 3 and 4 vs. 4 games, under both SSGreg and SSGcom conditions. SSGreg bouts were played for 4 minutes without additional running drills, while SSGcom bouts consisted of 3 min 30 s SSG and 15 s running before and after the bout, making the duration of each bout 4 minutes. During all SSGs, measurements of heart rate (HR) responses as well as distances covered in four different speed zones – walking (WLK), low-intensity (LIR), moderate-intensity (MIR) and high-intensity running (HIR) – were recorded. Technical characteristics were monitored during the SSGs, and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and blood lactate (La-) responses were determined at the end of each SSG condition. Compared to the SSGreg in both 3 vs. 3 and 4 vs. 4 formats, the SSGcom condition resulted in higher La- and RPE responses (p < 0.05), greater distance covered at MIR and HIR speeds and greater total distance (p < 0.05). The results of this study show that replacing 30 s within the 4-min bouts of SSGs (both 3- and 4-a-side) by 2 x 15 s of running drills is effective in increasing internal (La- and RPE) and external loads (MIR and HIR) without a significant decrease in total passes and successful passes in young soccer players.     

Effects of plyometric jump training on soccer player’s balance: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials

Plyometric jump training (PJT) can be used for improving balance through bilateral and unilateral jump-landing drills. Since the increased number of articles testing the effects of PJT on dynamic and static balance, it is relevant to summarize the evidence and determine the effects across different original articles. This systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of PJT programs on dynamic and static balance in soccer players. The data sources utilized were Cochrane, Medline (PubMed), SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. (i) Soccer players of any age or sex without injury, illness, or other clinical conditions; (ii) PJT-based programs restricted to a minimum of three weeks (duration); (iii) passive or active control groups; (iv) pre-post interventions values of dynamic and/or static balance; (v) randomized-controlled trials; and (vi) peerreviewed original full-text studies written in English, Portuguese, and/or Spanish. The database search initially identified 803 titles. From those, eight articles were eligible for the systematic review and meta-analysis. The results showed no significant differences between PJT and active controls in dynamic anterior, postero-medial, or postero-lateral balance for both left and right legs (p > 0.05). Additionally, no significant differences were found between PJT and active controls in terms of static balance (p = 0.495). The current evidence suggests that PJT has no significant advantage over active control groups in terms of dynamic or static balance.     

Evaluating the use of macroscale variables as proxies for local aquatic variables and to model stream fish distributions

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Effects of food abundance, density and climate change on reproduction in the sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus

The reproductive success of predators depends on abiotic environmental conditions, food abundance and population density, and food abundance, density and their interactions may respond to changes in climatic conditions. Timing of reproduction by five of the eight numerically most common prey of the sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus advanced significantly since 1971, during a period of temperature increase. There was no evidence that mean laying date or any other reproductive parameter of sparrowhawks changed consistently during the study period 1977–1997. Laying date advanced and percentage of unsuccessful female sparrowhawks decreased with beech mast in the current year, an index of food abundance for avian prey. Mean laying date of sparrowhawks was advanced in warmer springs, and although mean clutch size was not larger in warm than in cold springs, mean brood size of successful pairs and breeding success increased in such springs, showing that sparrowhawks enjoyed a fitness gain when reproducing early. The timing of sparrowhawk reproduction with respect to the peak in abundance of fledgling prey increased, from a good match between mean timing of fledging by prey and maximum demand for food by the predator in 1977, to reproduction occurring later than the peak in fledging prey availability in 1997. The size of the breeding population of sparrowhawks was not predicted by mean spring temperature, the size of the breeding population the previous year or beech mast crop. The size of the post-breeding population was predicted by size of the breeding and post-breeding population the previous year and by the proportion of unsuccessful females the current year. These findings imply that sparrowhawks did not respond to change in climate, although climate changed the timing of reproduction by the main prey species.     

Impact of landscape predictors on climate change modelling of species distributions: a case study with Eucalyptus fastigata in southern New South Wales,Australia

Aim We consider three questions. (1) How different are the predicted distribution maps when climate‐only and climate‐plus‐terrain models are developed from high‐resolution data? (2) What are the implications of differences between the models when predicting future distributions under climate change scenarios, particularly for climate‐only models at coarse resolution? (3) Does the use of high‐resolution data and climate‐plus‐terrain models predict an increase in the number of local refugia? Location South‐eastern New South Wales, Australia. Methods We developed two species distribution models for Eucalyptus fastigata under current climate conditions using generalized additive modelling. One used only climate variables as predictors (mean annual temperature, mean annual rainfall, mean summer rainfall); the other used both climate and landscape (June daily radiation, topographic position, lithology, nutrients) variables as predictors. Predictions of the distribution under current climate and climate change were then made for both models at a pixel resolution of 100 m. Results The model using climate and landscape variables as predictors explained a significantly greater proportion of the deviance than the climate‐only model. Inclusion of landscape variables resulted in the prediction of much larger areas of existing optimal habitat. An overlay of predicted future climate on the current climate space indicated that extrapolation of the statistical models was not occurring and models were therefore more robust. Under climate change, landscape‐defined refugia persisted in areas where the climate‐only model predicted major declines. In areas where expansion was predicted, the increase in optimal habitat was always greater with landscape predictors. Recognition of extensive optimal habitat conditions and potential refugia was dependent on the use of high‐resolution landscape data. Main conclusions Using only climate variables as predictors for assessing species responses to climate change ignores the accepted conceptual model of plant species distribution. Explicit statements justifying the selection of predictors based on ecological principles are needed. Models using only climate variables overestimate range reduction under climate change and fail to predict potential refugia. Fine‐scale‐resolution data are required to capture important climate/landscape interactions. Extrapolation of statistical models to regions in climate space outside the region where they were fitted is risky.     

Effects of pitch size on soccer players’ physiological,physical, technical,and tactical responses during small-sided games: a meta-analytical comparison

One of the most often-used task constraints in designing small-sided games (SSGs) is the manipulation of pitch size to promote increases or decreases in the relative area per player. Such adjustments cause changes in the acute responses during SSGs. This systematic review with meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of smaller vs. larger pitch sizes on soccer players’ physiological, physical, technical, and tactical responses during SSGs. Comparisons between smaller and larger pitches were not considered based on a specific size, but also between using at least two dimensions in the same comparative study, aiming to understand differences between using smaller and larger (independently of the specific dimensions). The data sources utilized were PubMed, PsycINFO, Scielo, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. The database search initially yielded 249 titles. From those, 41 articles were eligible for the systematic review and meta-analysis. Results revealed that, compared to smaller pitches, SSGs played on larger pitches induced greater values for heart rate (p < 0.001; ES = 0.50), rate of perceived exertion (p < 0.001; ES = 0.70), total distance (p < 0.001; ES = 1.95), high-speed running (p < 0.001; ES = 1.20), stretch index (p < 0.001; ES = 1.02) and surface area (p < 0.001; ES = 1.54). No significant differences were found between pitch size regarding the numbers of accelerations (p = 0.232; ES = 0.45), decelerations (p = 0.111; ES = 0.85), passes (p = 0.897; ES = 0.02), dribbles (p = 0.823; ES = -0.05), or positional centroid (p = 0.053; ES = 0.56). Larger pitch sizes can be implemented as a meaningful task constraint to increase the internal and external load experienced by soccer players during SSGs, as well as to increase the dispersion of players while acting together. These results were found independent of format and age group.