ABSTRACT
Differences exist between male's and female's football (Kirkendall, 2007). For example, during match play, male players cover more distance in high intensity running than do women (Mohr et al., 2008). It is assumed that male's football is also technically more advanced, although limited data support this assumption. In order to benefit from the higher physical and technical demands experienced by male athletes, women occasionally train with men. Yet, there is little evidence on what changes would occur when women train with men. Small-sided training games (SSG) have become popular in the recent years. SSG simulate the movement patterns of women's soccer competition (Gabbett and Mulvey, 2008). These games are equally effective at improving soccer specific endurance as interval training (Hill-Haas et al., 2011). In addition, SSG also develop technical and tactical abilities. The present study aimed to evaluate the physical and technical-tactical differences between single-gender and mixed-gender training exercises for female elite soccer players.
