Effects of sprint-embedded 3 vs 3 small-sided games on neuromuscular performance, physiological responses, external load and technical actions in female football players: a randomised controlled trial

Background Coaches often add running bouts to small-sided games (SSGs), but evidence in female players over several weeks is limited. This randomised controlled trial compared 3 vs 3 SSGs with and without an embedded 10-s sprint on jump performance, physiological and perceptual responses, external load and technical actions. Methods Twelve licensed female players aged 18–25 years were randomly allocated to sprint-embedded SSGs (EXP, n = 6), in which a 10-s sprint separated two 2-min bouts in each set, or to standard SSGs with 10 s of passive rest (CON, n = 6). Both groups played three sets once a week for 6 weeks on an 18 × 30 m pitch. The primary outcome was countermovement jump (CMJ) height at baseline, week 3 and week 6. Secondary outcomes were GNSS-derived external load, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), video-coded technical actions and VO₂max estimated from the 30 − 15 Intermittent Fitness Test (baseline and week 6). Group × time interactions were tested with two-way mixed ANOVA. Results CMJ height increased in both groups, with no evidence of a group × time interaction (F(2,20) = 2.61, p = 0.100, ηp² = 0.21; baseline-adjusted difference 1.5 cm, 95% CI − 0.3 to 3.4). Total distance, accelerations, PlayerLoad, RPE and distance in speed zones 2–4 increased over time in both groups (p ≤ 0.001). Of 19 secondary interaction tests, one was nominally significant: distance covered at 12.1–15.4 km·h⁻¹ increased more in EXP (F(2,20) = 4.99, p = 0.041, ηp² = 0.33; difference in change 44.8 m, 95% CI 2.7 to 86.9). This result did not survive adjustment for multiple comparisons or a non-parametric check (p = 0.093). Conclusions In this small trial, adding a 10-s sprint to 3 vs 3 SSGs once a week for 6 weeks was associated with changes that were largely similar to those of standard SSGs. The possible additional increase in moderate- to high-speed running is exploratory. Because the sample was small and players in each group shared one game, larger cluster-randomised trials are needed. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT07845318. Registered 7 May 2026 – Retrospectively registered.