Game-based vs Mulitaleral Approach: Effects of a 12-week Program on Motor Skill Acquisition and Physical Fitness Development in Soccer School Children

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week- game-based training versus a traditional multilateral approach on motor skills acquisition and physical fitness, in a group of U9 children playing soccer. METHODS: 40 Children 9 years old or younger (U9) recruited from a local soccer school were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to a game-based training program (GB) or a multilateral training (MA) approach. The training programs lasted 12 weeks, and players were tested at baseline and at the end of the program (12-week follow-up). The outcomes were: standing long jump test, shuttle dribble test, 10x5 shuttle run test and Mini-Cooper test. RESULTS: Within-group comparisons showed statistically-significant improvements in both of the groups: standing long lump (p < 0.0001), shuttle dribble test (p < 0.0001), shuttle run test (p < 0.0001) and Mini-Cooper test (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the MA group showed better performance in the shuttle run test after 12 weeks of training compared to the GB group (p= 0.0002; +8%). CONCLUSIONS: A multilateral approach promotes physical development in U9 soccer players without affecting learning of soccer skills. Therefore, a multilateral approach should be included in soccer training programs to ensure an optimal development in young soccer players.