Time-Motion Characteristics and Physiological Responses of Para-Footballers With Cerebral Palsy in Two Small-Sided Games and a Simulated Game.

This study compared physical performance in a group of international cerebral palsy football players during two formats of small-sided games (SSGs) and performance in a simulated game (SG) according to players' sport classes (FT1, FT2, and FT3). Internal load (heart rate and rating of perceived exertion) and external load (total distance, distance covered at different velocities, maximum speed reached, acceleration, and deceleration) were obtained with global positioning system devices during two formats of SSGs (2-a-side/SSG2 and 4-a-side/SSG4) and an SG (7-a-side). SSG2 demands faster actions compared with SSG4/SG, and significant differences and large effect sizes were found in the distance covered in Speed Zones 5 (16.0-17.9 km/hr) and 6 (>18.0 km/hr; p < .05; .35<ηp2<.50, large). Lower moderate accelerations and decelerations per minute in SSG4/SG compared with SSG2 were also found (p < .01; .77<ηp2<.81, large). In the SSG2 task, the FT3 players reached maximum speeds, covered more distance at the highest intensities, and performed more moderate/high accelerations/decelerations and more sprints compared with FT1 and FT2 players (p < .05; -0.85 < dg < -4.64, large). The SSG2 task could be the best option for discriminating physical demands in important variables for cerebral palsy football performance between classes FT3 versus FT1/FT2.

Physical demands of para-footballers with cerebral palsy in a small-sided game.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) Football is a para-sport performed by individuals with physical impairments of athetosis, ataxia, or hypertonia. However, little is known about the physical demands of para-footballers with CP, and no previous study has analysed those demands in a small-sided game (SSG). This study aims to describe physical parameters using a global positioning system device in a SSG played by CP football players. METHODS: Fourteen male international para-footballers with CP took part in this study, which analysed their performance in an SSG of 3 vs. 3 players plus a goalkeeper per team. Also, a group of 12 football players participated as a control group. RESULTS: The total distance covered by the CP footballers during the SSG was 1931.1±213.6 m, and the distance covered per minute was 71.2±9.3 m/min, having lower scores than the control group. The maximum speed reached was 20.1±1.8 km/h, with a metabolic power of 6.2±0.9 W/kg and lower scores than the control group. Players with the minimal eligible impairment in this para-sport (i.e., sport class FT8) covered a greater distance in high-speed zones compared to players with more severe impairments. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that para-footballers with CP exhibited lower physical performance in an SSG compared to regular football players. Additional studies are necessary to identify the best format of an SSG for football players with CP and its application for training and evidence-based classification.