The physical and physiological demands of small-sided games: How important is winning or losing?

The present study examined the effect that success (win) or failure (loss) during competitive small-sided games (SSG) has on physical and physiological demands. Twenty six outfield hurling players were monitored with GPS (4-Hz, VX Sport, New Zealand) and heart rate monitors (Polar Electro, Oy, Kempele, Finland). Total distance (m), high-speed distance (≥ 17 km·h^-1; m), sprint distance (≥ 22 km·h^-1; m) and peak velocities (km·h^-1) during SSG were analysed. Time spent in different HR zones, maximum heart rate (HR_max), average HR and percentage of HR_max were also considered. Results showed significant effects for team success (win) on all collected variables, with successful teams showing significantly higher total distances (p = 0.013; d = 3.50 ± 0.30; very large) when compared to losing teams. Team success during SSG impacted high-speed performance with winning teams covering more distance (p = 0.002; d = 4.53 ± 0.46; very large). Similar trends were documented for physiological variables with significant effects reported for winning teams spending more time at higher percentages (≥95%) of HR_max when compared to losing teams (p = 0.013; d = 2.64 ± 0.34, very large). The current study has shown that success (win) or failure (loss) within SSG plays an important role for SSG design.