The physical and physiological value of 5-a-side soccer training to 11-a-side match play

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical and physiological demands of 5-a-side and 11-a-side soccer. Four English collegiate players were filmed during actual game play. An observational time-motion analysis technique was developed and five 5-minute game sections were used to determine physical playing components, such as movement intensity, distance travelled, and ball contacts. Telemetered heart rates were collected during game situations and compared to laboratory treadmill values to give a profile of physiological work done. Data generated for the five minute sections for both the 5-a-side and 11-a-side games were analyzed using a two-way Analysis of Variance with repeated measures on both factors. Results indicate that total distances covered were similar for the 5 and 11-a-side game conditions. In contrast, the ratio of high-intensity to low/moderate-intensity work, and the corresponding heart rate values, were significantly higher during 5-a-side soccer. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in ball contacts during 5-a-side soccer. These data indicate that 5-a-side soccer results in a higher overall intensity of play and may allow for greater skill development. Thus 5-a-side soccer is an excellent training method to prepare players for the physical and physiological demands of higher levels of 11-a-side match play.