The Effects of Exercise Order on the Psychophysiological Responses, Physical and Technical Performances of Young Soccer Players: Combined Small-Sided Games and High-Intensity Interval Training
Question
Does the order of small-sided games and high-intensity interval training affect psychophysiological, physical, and technical responses in young soccer players?
Summary
In 24 under-16 male soccer players, six weeks of combined small-sided games and running HIIT improved several body composition, physical, and technical measures regardless of whether the players did games before HIIT or HIIT before games. Doing HIIT before small-sided games produced lower perceived exertion and training load and higher enjoyment.
Methodology
- Under-16 regional amateur male soccer players
- 24 participants.
- Running intervals plus soccer small-sided games.
- Work intervals: 15 seconds at 90-100% VIFT.
- Recovery: 15 seconds rest.
- Intensity: 90-100% VIFT.
- Part of 60-75 minute soccer practice.
- 2 combined sessions per week.
- 6 weeks.
- Matched two-group training intervention comparing exercise order
- Physical performance, Technical performance, Body composition, and Enjoyment and load were tracked.
Outcomes
Performance adaptations
Both exercise orders improved body composition, physical performance, and technical skills with no significant between-order differences.
Between-training comparison differences p>=0.05; effect sizes reported around 0.40-1.10.
Perceived exertion
HIIT before small-sided games produced lower RPE.
HIIT+SSG 16.2 +/- 0.5 vs SSG+HIIT 17.6 +/- 0.5; p=0.00; d=2.98.
Enjoyment
HIIT before small-sided games produced higher enjoyment.
PACES 30.7 +/- 1.1 vs 26.3 +/- 0.9; p=0.00; d=4.28.
Training load
SSG before HIIT produced higher weekly training load.
Training load higher in SSG+HIIT across weeks; p<=0.05; d=1.36-2.05.
Insights
- When combining sport game work and HIIT, exercise order can matter for enjoyment and perceived load.
- HIIT before skill/game work may preserve adaptations while reducing session burden.
- Sport-specific results should be adapted cautiously for general fitness apps.
Limitations
- Small sample.
- Male youth soccer-only population.
- No non-training control group.
- Short six-week intervention.
- Regular soccer training and matches continued alongside the intervention.
Safety
- No adverse events were reported.
- Sessions were separated by at least 2 days to avoid fatigue-induced adverse effects.