The Tactical Games Model and Small Sided Soccer Games: A new perspective for the development of musculoskeletal components in young footballers

Authors

  • Federico Gaspare Mollame KG4SPA – Kore research Group for Sport and Physical fitness Assessment (Enna, Italy); Laboratory of Human Movement and Sport Performance Analysis, Department of Human and Society Sciences, University of Enna “Kore” (Enna, Italy); Department of Medicine e Surgery, University of Enna “Kore” (Enna, Italy) – federico.mollame@unikorestudent.it https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4628-0369
  • Antonino Barbagallo Laboratory of Human Movement and Sport Performance Analysis, Department of Human and Society Sciences, University of Enna “Kore” (Enna, Italy) – antonino.barbagallo@unikorestudent.it
  • Marika Santaera Laboratory of Human Movement and Sport Performance Analysis, Department of Human and Society Sciences, University of Enna “Kore” (Enna, Italy) – marika.santaera@unikorestudent.it https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5663-7137
  • Maria Pia Muzzicato Laboratory of Human Movement and Sport Performance Analysis, Department of Human and Society Sciences, University of Enna “Kore” (Enna, Italy) – mariapia.muzzicato@unikorestudent.it
  • Rosaria Schembri KG4SPA – Kore research Group for Sport and Physical fitness Assessment (Enna, Italy); Laboratory of Human Movement and Sport Performance Analysis, Department of Human and Society Sciences, University of Enna “Kore” (Enna, Italy) – saraschembri@yahoo.it https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0229-2281

Keywords:

Tactical Games Model, Musculoskeletal fitness, Functional motor competence, Sport performance, Soccer

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of using the Tactical Games Model (TGM) and Small Sided Soccer Games (SSGs) in a youth sports and recreational context, to improve the technical-tactical skills and musculoskeletal fitness of young athletes. The sample considered includes 29 children with an average age of 7.6 ±‍0.72 years subjected to a protocol of sixteen training sessions. In the initial, intermediate and final phases, tests were administered to evaluate the levels of musculoskeletal fitness (FMS), functional motor skills (FMC) and game performance, using the Game Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI). The results indicate statistically significant changes in Handgrip (HG), Supine-to-Stand and go (STS&GO) and Game Involvment for technical-tactical skills. The adoption of the TGM protocol and SSSGs demonstrates a positive impact on some components of FMS, suggesting that TGM may be an effective tool not only in promoting children’s general health, but also in improving fundamental motor skills relevant to sport, like football.

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2024-12-01

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Mollame, F. G., Barbagallo, A., Santaera, M., Muzzicato, M. P., & Schembri, R. (2024). The Tactical Games Model and Small Sided Soccer Games: A new perspective for the development of musculoskeletal components in young footballers. Formazione & Insegnamento, 22, 7227. Retrieved from https://ojs.pensamultimedia.it/index.php/siref/article/view/7227

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