The effect of small-sided games and HIIT formats and competitive 
level on enjoyment and exercise intensity in young adult male 
soccer players

Weiqiang Xu; Robert Trybulski; Rui Miguel Silva; Yichen Zhao; Henrique de Oliveira Castro; Gustavo de Conti Teixeira Costa; Filipe Clemente

doi:10.5114/biolsport.2025.150046

eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X

Biology of Sport

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abstract:

Original paper

The effect of small-sided games and HIIT formats and competitive level on enjoyment and exercise intensity in young adult male soccer players

Weiqiang Xu

¹

,

Robert Trybulski

^{2, 3}

,

Rui Miguel Silva

^{4, 5}

,

Yichen Zhao

⁶

,

Henrique de Oliveira Castro

⁷

,

Gustavo de Conti Teixeira Costa

⁸

,

Filipe Manuel Clemente

^{1, 4, 5}

Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
Medical Department Wojciech Korfanty, Upper Silesian Academy, Katowice, Poland
Department of Physical Therapy and Ergotherapy, Ivan Boberkyj Lviv State University of Physical Culture, 79007 Lviv, Ukraine
Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Department of Physical Education, Xiamen University, 361005 Xiamen, China
Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Educação Física e Esportes, Laboratório de Análise Esportiva, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, 78060-900, Brazil
Núcleo de Estudo e Pesquisa Avançada em Esportes, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia 74690-900, Brazil

Biol Sport. 2025;42(4):153–162

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2025.150046

Online publish date: 2025/05/08

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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 playersfrom 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 1v1 and 5v5 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 1v1 and 5v5 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 5v5 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 5v5, 1v1, and Short HIIT formats compared to Tier 3 players. SSGs and HIIT formats significantly influence enjoyment, with smaller-sided formats (1v1) and short HIIT showing the highest enjoyment levels. Tier 2 players reported higher enjoyment and physical efforts than Tier 3 players, in 5v5, 1v1, and short HIIT formats. These findingsshow the importance of programming training sessions according to the competitive level of athletes to maximize enjoyment and manage effort in soccer training programs.

keywords:

The effect of small-sided games and HIIT formats and competitive level on enjoyment and exercise intensity in young adult male soccer players

Weiqiang Xu 1 , Robert Trybulski 2, 3 , Rui Miguel Silva 4, 5 , Yichen Zhao 6 , Henrique de Oliveira Castro 7 , Gustavo de Conti Teixeira Costa 8 , Filipe Manuel Clemente 1, 4, 5

Football, Conditioned games, High-intensity interval training, Contentment, Physical fitness

Weiqiang Xu

¹

,

Robert Trybulski

^{2, 3}

,

Rui Miguel Silva

^{4, 5}

,

Yichen Zhao

⁶

,

Henrique de Oliveira Castro

⁷

,

Gustavo de Conti Teixeira Costa

⁸

,

Filipe Manuel Clemente

^{1, 4, 5}