The influence of relative playing area and player numerical imbalance on physical and perceptual demands in soccer small-sided game formats.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine physiological, mechanical and perceptual loading in small-sided games using different relative playing areas with balanced and unbalanced player numbers.

Methods: Data were collected in twelve elite youth male soccer players and included heart rate and standard time-motion outputs using commercial GPS.

Results: The data demonstrated higher cardiovascular, physical and perceptual demands with increasing pitch size (e.