The Effect of Well-Being and Exercise Intensity on Enjoyment in Soccer Players

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between well-being, exercise intensity, and enjoyment in soccer players. Seventy-seven players participated in this study. Participants performed the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test and took part in four training formats: 5v5 and 1v1 small-sided games (SSGs), long HIIT, and short HIIT. Enjoyment was measured using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), well-being was assessed with the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (SNQ), Profile of Mood States (POMS), Total Mood Disturbance (TMD), sleep duration, and Perceived Recovery Status (PRS). Exercise intensity was measured with heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). TMD predicted enjoyment across all training formats (β = -0.68 to -0.36, p < 0.001). Sleep duration predicted enjoyment in long HIIT (β = -.21, p < 0.05), SNQ predicted enjoyment in 1v1 SSGs (β = 0.29, p < 0.05), PRS predicted enjoyment in short HIIT (β = 0.20, p < 0.05), and RPE predicted enjoyment in long HIIT (β = -0.30, p < 0.01). The regression models were statistically significant across all conditions, indicating that 33% to 49% of the variance in enjoyment was explained by well-being and intensity. This study showed that TMD was the strongest predictor of enjoyment. Lower sleep duration and higher RPE reduced enjoyment in long HIIT. In 1v1 SSGs, greater SNQ was associated with higher enjoyment, while in short HIIT, a higher PRS resulted in higher enjoyment. However, potential confounding factors such as individual fitness levels, baseline mood, and training experience may have influenced these findings. Coaches should consider mood, sleep, recovery, and exertion when planning training to enhance enjoyment.

Keywords: Psychological factors; perceived exertion; recovery; team sports; training load.

Figure 1.

Correlation matrix of variables. Note: SSGs = Small-Sided Games; HIIT = High-Intensity Interval Training; PACES = Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale; SNQ = Standardized Nordic Questionnaire; PRS = Perceived Recovery Status; TMD = Total Mood Disturbance; %HRres = percentage of heart rate reserve; RPE = Rating of Perceived Exertion.

Figure 2.

Observed PACES scores vs. predicted PACES scores. Note: SSGs = Small-Sided Games; HIIT = High-Intensity Interval Training; PACES = Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale.

Figure 3.

Effect of predictors on PACES scores. Note: SSGs = Small-Sided Games; HIIT = High-Intensity Interval Training; PACES = Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale; SNQ = Standardized Nordic Questionnaire; PRS = Perceived Recovery Status; TMD = Total Mood Disturbance; %HRres = percentage of heart rate reserve; RPE = Rating of Perceived Exertion.