Relationships between different training session types and subsequent match demands in elite female soccer players

Abstract Study aim This study analyzed the influence of small-sided games (SSGs), tactical (T), conditioning (C), and combined sessions on the subsequent match demands in elite female soccer players. Material and methods Twenty-four female players (age: 24.5 ± 2.3 years; height: 171 ± 3.0 cm; body mass: 63.5 ± 4.0 kg) from the Turkish National Team participated. Players were monitored during training and matches using 15 Hz global positioning system units, measuring external load parameters such as total distance (TD), player load (PL), high-speed running (HSR), accelerations (ACCs), decelerations (DECs), maximum speed (MaxSpeed), running deviations (RDs), and footstrikes (FS), relativized per minute. Results Conditioning sessions significantly influenced match ACCs and DECs, while SSGs effectively replicated match-specific demands, particularly PL and HSR. Combined sessions (C + SSGs + T) contributed to improvements in MaxSpeed and HSR. FS during conditioning and SSGs were strong predictors of match TD and FS, respectively. Conclusion Different training formats produce distinct external load responses during subsequent matches. SSGs closely mirrored key match demands such as PL and HSR, making them effective for match-specific conditioning. In contrast, conditioning sessions were more effective for enhancing ACCs and DECs. These findings may assist coaches in designing training sessions that are more aligned with the physical demands of competition.