## 4 Discussion
Furthermore, a recent systematic review and meta-analysis highlighted that small-sided games significantly improved overall physical fitness and cardiometabolic health markers, particularly among youth athletes [33]. Additionally, after sensitivity analyses, SSGs were found to significantly improve waist circumference and muscle strength. These findings suggest that SSGs are a viable and engaging intervention for promoting health in youth [36]. Recent research has investigated whether small-sided games adequately prepared elite young soccer players for worst-case match scenarios. That research revealed that while SSGs replicated numerous match demands, they may not fully prepare players for the most extreme match situations [37]. However, it has also been reported that small-sided games alone may not be sufficient for maximizing high-intensity running performance, requiring additional sprint-specific training components [34; 35]. The present findings offer preliminary insight into the relationship between small-sided games (SSGs) and specific performance components such as speed, agility, and power, which are underexplored in the existing literature. While not all improvements in these variables were statistically significant, observable trends suggest potential benefits, particularly in agility and lower-body power. These outcomes are consistent with previous research indicating that SSGs can stimulate neuromuscular and physiological responses relevant to explosive performance, especially when structured with appropriate intensity and constraints [38; 39]. Variability in the results may be influenced by modifiable training parameters such as pitch size, player count, and work-to-rest ratios [40]. Overall, SSGs appear to contribute to general physical development, though more targeted training strategies may be necessary to achieve consistent improvements in isolated metrics like sprint speed or maximal power output. In the STM2 group, flexibility (sit-and-reach test), acceleration (10 m and 30 m sprint without a ball), and lower-body power became more critical performance markers post-training, while the significance of 10 m and 20 m sprint with a ball decreased. This finding is consistent with the conclusions of studies indicating that strength training enhances sprinting ability and neuromuscular efficiency. However, these studies suggest that strength training may not necessarily improve diribbling-related speed unless it is combined with sport-specific drills [41]. Conversely, DTM resulted in more balanced and consistent performance enhancements, with the importance of the 20 m sprint with a ball and 30 s sit-up test decreasing and the contributions of the 10 m sprint without a ball and 30 m sprint without a ball significantly increasing. Performance changes exceeding 0.1 s in sprint tests and 5 cm in flexibility are generally considered clinically meaningful in elite football. Several variables in our study, particularly in the DTM group, met or exceeded these thresholds. These results suggest that combined training optimally integrates strength, speed, and endurance components, leading to well-rounded athletic development. This observation is consistent with the findings of studies that emphasize the superiority of hybrid training methods in soccer, particularly for maintaining high-intensity performance across various match scenarios [42]. While STM1 and STM2 each contributed to specific performance gains, their isolated use showed some overlap in outcomes and comparatively limited effects in certain performance measures. Therefore, practitioners are advised to consider multi-component training strategies that address the diverse physical demands of football. Additionally, it is recommended that coaches incorporate combined training (DTM) into their programs to enhance short-distance sprint performance, anaerobic power, and overall fitness, particularly over an 8-week period with two sessions per week.