Small-Sided Games are More Enjoyable Than High-Intensity Interval Training of Similar Exercise Intensity in Soccer
Question
Do small-sided soccer games and running HIIT produce similar internal load and fatigue, and do they differ in enjoyment?
Summary
In 16 male youth soccer players, a 4 x 4 minute running HIIT session and a 4 x 4 minute small-sided soccer game produced similar heart-rate, lactate, perceived exertion, and short-term jump-fatigue responses. The soccer game format was much more enjoyable.
Methodology
- Competitive male youth soccer players.
- 16 participants.
- Outdoor running.
- Work intervals: 15 seconds at individualized 110% MAS distance repeated inside 4-minute bouts.
- Recovery: 15 seconds passive rest within bouts; 3 minutes passive between bouts.
- Intensity: 110% maximal aerobic speed.
- 25 minutes.
- Single acute session.
- Acute crossover.
- Randomized counterbalanced crossover acute field study
- Enjoyment, Exercise intensity, and Acute fatigue were tracked.
Outcomes
Enjoyment
SSG was much more enjoyable than HIIT.
PACES 85 +/- 6 vs 53 +/- 6; p<0.001
Intensity
HIIT and SSG produced similar heart-rate, lactate, and RPE responses.
%HRmax p=0.70; lactate p=0.38; RPE p=0.61
Jump fatigue
Five-jump performance decreased after both protocols.
Main time effect p<0.05; no type or interaction effect
Insights
- Enjoyment can be improved by making high-intensity work sport-specific.
- Physiological intensity alone does not determine session preference.
- Game-like intervals may be valuable when engagement is a priority.
Limitations
- Small homogeneous sample.
- Acute study only.
- Only male youth soccer players.
- Only one SSG format tested.
Safety
- No injuries or adverse events were reported.
- The study measured acute fatigue and found jump performance declined after both protocols.
- Participants were trained soccer players familiar with the procedures and were supervised on field.