# 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

PMID: 34827173
Journal: Biology
Published: 2021 Nov 15
Authors: Arslan E, Kilit B, Clemente FM, Soylu Y, Sögüt M, Badicu G, Akca F, Gokkaya M, Murawska-Ciałowicz E

## 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.

## Population

- Under-16 regional amateur male soccer players
- Sample size: 24
- Age: Approximately 14.6 years
- Sex: Male
- Fitness level: Youth soccer players training at least 3 times per week
- Health status: Youth athletes; detailed health status not reported in extracted evidence

## Methodology

- Matched two-group training intervention comparing exercise order
- 6-week intervention within a 9-week pre/post testing period
- Youth soccer training on a natural grass pitch
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- HIIT before small-sided games.
- Modality: Running intervals plus soccer small-sided games.
- Work intervals: 15 seconds at 90-100% VIFT.
- Recovery: 15 seconds rest.
- Sets or repetitions: Two 3-5 minute HIIT blocks plus small-sided games.
- Intensity: 90-100% VIFT.
- Session duration: Part of 60-75 minute soccer practice.
- Frequency: 2 combined sessions per week.
- Program length: 6 weeks.
- Progression: Intensity progressed from 90% to 100% VIFT and block duration increased.
- Small-sided games before HIIT.
- Modality: Soccer small-sided games plus running intervals.
- Work intervals: 15 seconds at 90-100% VIFT during HIIT component.
- Recovery: 15 seconds rest during HIIT component.
- Sets or repetitions: Same components in reverse order.
- Intensity: 90-100% VIFT.
- Session duration: Part of 60-75 minute soccer practice.
- Frequency: 2 combined sessions per week.
- Program length: 6 weeks.
- Progression: Same progression as intervention.

## Outcomes

### Performance adaptations
Status: improved
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
Status: improved
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
Status: improved
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
Status: improved
SSG before HIIT produced higher weekly training load.

Training load higher in SSG+HIIT across weeks; p<=0.05; d=1.36-2.05.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- No adverse events were reported.
- Sessions were separated by at least 2 days to avoid fatigue-induced adverse effects.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34827173/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10111180) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8615019/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.