Introduction: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and small-sided games (SSG) have been applied and tested for athletes in order to enhance the soccer performance. For this reason, this experimental study aimed to compare the effects of SSGs and HIIT on power, physiological responses and perceived enjoyment.
Materials and Methods: Sixteen youth soccer players (age, 17.5± 0.6 years, mean±standard deviation; height, 178.2± 6.4 cm; body mass, 70.4± 5.4 kg; body fat, 10.6± 0.8%) completed one session each of HIIT and SSG on separate days with 1 week between sessions. Each session lasted 25 mins (4x4 mins work with 3 mins of passive recovery in-between). SSGs consisted of 4 versus 4 player games on a 25× 35 m pitch, and HIIT consisted of intermittent 15-s runs at 110% maximal aerobic speed separated by 15 s of passive recovery. Psychological responses following each protocol were assessed using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). Heart rate (HR) was continuously recorded, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and lactate concentration [La] were measured after each training session. Lower body muscular power was assessed using the 5-jump test relative to leg length (5JT-relative) before and after each training session, where greater average distance per stride over five sequential jumping strides indicated greater muscular power.
Results: HIIT and SSG showed no significant difference in HR, RPE and [La] responses (p=0.70, ES=0.11; p=0.61, ES=0.08 and p=0.38, ES=0.21, respectively). 5JT-relative decreased significantly for SSG and HIIT (p< 0.05, ES=0.50 and p< 0.05, ES=0.40, respectively). PACES score was greater in SSG compared to HIIT (ES=5.35, p< 0.001).
Conclusion: HIIT and SSG sessions induced similar physiological responses; however, SSGs induced a higher enjoyment level than HIIT. Coaches could choose between these training modalities according to the objective of their training session, considering the enjoyment-related advantages of SSGs.

Keywords: aerobic fitness, psychology, motivation, soccer, athletes


中文翻译：

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足球比赛中，小型比赛比类似运动强度的高强度间歇训练更有趣

简介：高强度间歇训练 (HIIT) 和小型比赛 (SSG) 已针对运动员应用和测试，以提高足球表现。出于这个原因，本实验研究旨在比较 SSG 和 HIIT 对力量、生理反应和感知享受的影响。
材料和方法：16 名青年足球运动员（年龄，17.5±0.6 岁，平均值±标准差；身高，178.2±6.4 cm；体重，70.4±5.4 kg；体脂，10.6±0.8%）分别完成了 HIIT 和 SSG 各一次的训练会议之间有 1 周的天数。每个会话持续 25 分钟（4x4 分钟工作，中间有 3 分钟的被动恢复）。SSG 由 25×35 m 球场上的 4 人对 4 人比赛组成，HIIT 由 110% 最大有氧速度的间歇性 15 秒跑步组成，间隔 15 秒被动恢复。使用身体活动享受量表 (PACES) 评估每个协议后的心理反应。连续记录心率 (HR)，在每次训练后测量感知劳累 (RPE) 和乳酸浓度 [La]。
结果： HIIT 和 SSG 在 HR、RPE 和 [La] 反应方面没有显着差异（分别为 p=0.70，ES=0.11；p=0.61，ES=0.08 和 p=0.38，ES=0.21）。SSG 和 HIIT 的 5JT 相对显着下降（分别为 p<0.05，ES=0.50 和 p<0.05，ES=0.40）。与 HIIT 相比，SSG 的 PACES 得分更高（ES=5.35，p<0.001）。
结论： HIIT 和 SSG 会话诱导了相似的生理反应；然而，SSGs 比 HIIT 带来了更高的享受水平。考虑到 SSG 与享受相关的优势，教练可以根据培训课程的目标在这些培训方式之间进行选择。

关键词：有氧健身、心理学、动机、足球、运动员