{
  "abstract": "Three-team rotation small-sided games (SSG) combine possession-based training with an embedded passive-recovery role, yet how the rule that governs attacking transitions interacts with pitch size in this format is unclear. This study used a repeated-measures design to compare the acute internal load, external load, and post-condition rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of two 3v3v3+2 SSG formats, change-of-area (COA) and fixed-area (FA), played on three pitch sizes (small, medium, and large; 75.3, 100, and 150 m² per player). Each condition consisted of four 4 min bouts separated by 2 min of passive recovery. Twenty-two male soccer players (age 21.5 ± 1.85 years) took part. In COA, the team in possession redirected its attack toward a new target zone after a passing threshold was met; in FA, play remained in a single undivided zone. Heart rate (Polar H10), locomotor variables (10 Hz GPS, Catapult Vector S7), and RPE (modified Borg CR-10) were recorded. Format × pitch-size interactions were tested with repeated-measures ANOVA, and format differences within each pitch size were expressed as COA minus FA with 95% confidence intervals and Holm-adjusted p-values. The interaction was significant for HRmax, HRmean, time in the 70-79% and 90-100% HRmax zones, RPE, total distance, accelerations, and decelerations (all p < 0.05). On the small pitch, COA produced higher HRmax (185.5 ± 9.6 vs. 173.0 ± 7.1 bpm), RPE (7.9 ± 0.8 vs. 5.6 ± 0.8), total distance (1650.3 ± 280.8 vs. 1455.1 ± 299.0 m), accelerations, and decelerations (all Holm-adjusted p < 0.05, dz = 0.81-2.11), and on the medium pitch COA produced more high-speed running and decelerations. Higher heart-rate and total-distance values in FA on the medium and large pitches were suggestive but did not remain significant after adjustment. Within this protocol, COA was associated with a greater acute load on the small pitch, and the relative demand of the two formats varied with pitch size; these findings are provisional and apply to the studied male players and game structures.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Faculty of Sport Science, Burapha University, Chonburi 20131, Thailand."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Pakorn Chootsungnoen",
      "orcid": "0009-0001-7728-9987"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Wirat Sonchan",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-9985-7765"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Phornpot Chainok",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-2605-4181"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/56bzrp1mcsq68.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/sports14100463",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13709660",
  "id": "56bzrp1mcsq68",
  "issns": [
    "2075-4663"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931600",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2732|Sports Performance and Training"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7222951998",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13709660?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13709660",
  "pmid": "42931600",
  "published": "2026-10-19",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/56bzrp1mcsq68.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:22:01Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42931600",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931600"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2732|Sports Performance and Training",
      "subfield": "surgery"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Acute Internal and External Loads in Change-of-Area and Fixed-Area 3v3v3+2 Small-Sided Games Across Three Pitch Sizes in Male Soccer Players.",
  "title_text": "Acute Internal and External Loads in Change-of-Area and Fixed-Area 3v3v3+2 Small-Sided Games Across Three Pitch Sizes in Male Soccer Players.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:22:01Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/56bzrp1mcsq68",
  "venue": "Sports (Basel, Switzerland)",
  "versions": []
}