ArticleBiology of sport2025
The effect of small-sided games and HIIT formats and competitive level on enjoyment and exercise intensity in young adult male soccer players.
Article in Biology of sport, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Effect of high-intensity interval training on aerobic capacity, physical fitness, and body composition in martial arts athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Pooled it
- Acute Effects of Small-Sided Games and Tabata High-Intensity Interval Training on Physical, Psychophysiological, and Cognitive Responses in Male Soccer Players.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
This study aims to analyze the differences in Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) scores and exercise intensity across small-sided games (SSGs) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) formats among soccer players from Tier 2 and Tier 3 competitive levels. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, 77 male players (20.64 ± 1.56 years) participated in four training sessions under controlled conditions. Enjoyment was assessed with PACES, while exercise intensity was monitored through heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). The training formats included 1 v 1 and 5 v 5 SSGs and long and short HIIT formats. Players were categorized as Amateur (Tier 2) or Competitor (Tier 3) based on training volume and performance level. The training formats included 1 v 1 and 5 v 5 SSGs and long and short HIIT formats. The present study revealed significant differences in PACES scores across the different training formats (p < 0.001), with the 5 v 5 format yielding the highest scores and long HIIT the lowest. A significant interaction between training format and competitive level was observed (p = 0.011). Tier 2 players reported higher PACES scores in the 5 v 5, 1 v 1, and Short HIIT formats compared to Tier 3 players. SSGs and HIIT formats significantly influence enjoyment, with smaller-sided formats (1 v 1) and short HIIT showing the highest enjoyment levels. Tier 2 players reported higher enjoyment and physical efforts than Tier 3 players, in 5 v 5, 1 v 1, and short HIIT formats. These findings show the importance of programming training sessions according to the competitive level of athletes to maximize enjoyment and manage effort in soccer training programs.
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