Cytokine responses to small sided games in young soccer players

 The aim of this study was to determine of cytokine responses to small-sided games (SSG) in young soccer players This study included fourteen male soccer players (14.5± 0.6 years). Soccer players are divided into 2 groups as 3x3 and 4x4 groups. 3x3 group players played 2x6x1 minutes small-sided games in 25x20 m area and 3x6x2 minutes small-sided games in 30x25 m area for 4x4 group players. Blood samples were collected at baseline [pre-training (PRE)] and at immediately after the exercise [post-training (POST)] to measure Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor (Tnf-α), and Lactate (La) parameters. And also Heart Rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) determined both PRE and POST. In the study, POST levels of La, IL-6, Tnf-α, HR, and RPE both in 3x3 group and in 4x4 group were found to be significantly higher than PRE (P<0.05). When the POST parameters of both groups were examined, only the Tnf-α level increased significantly in the 4x4 group (p<0.05), while no difference was found in the other parameters (p>0.05). SSG which is acutely applied in young soccer players, both 3x3 group and 4x4 group is are similar. However with a more players can increase tnf-α released and this can effect performance as negatively in young soccer players.