Heart Rate and Perceived Experience Differ Markedly for Children in Same- versus Mixed-Gender Soccer Played as Small- and Large-Sided Games

Abstract

This study examines heart rate (HR) and perceived experience during same- versus mixed-gender soccer played as small- (SSG) and large-sided (LSG) games. HR, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and fun scores were determined in 134 pupils (50 girls, 84 boys) randomly assigned to same- and mixed-genders formats playing 2x15-min of SSG (2v2, 4v4) and LSG (12v12) in a random order (~50 m2/player). HR was lower (p≤0.03) for girls when playing together with boys than when playing alone (71±10 versus 77±7%HRmax), while being similar for boys playing mixed- or same-gender games (74±7 versus 77±4%HRmax). Boys perceived less fun when playing together with girls than when playing alone (4.4±2.3 versus 6.3±2.3, p<0.001). Irrespective of gender, higher (p<0.001) HRmean, %time>80%HRmax, and RPE were observed during 2v2 (78±9%HRmax, 43±33%, 5.5±2.5) and 4v4 (76±9%HRmax, 39±32%, 5.5±2.7) than during 12v12 (70±10%HRmax, 23±27%, 3.8±2.9). Cardiovascular strain was lower for girls when playing together with boys than when playing alone in LSG. SSG were more intense than LSG when girls played mixed-gender games and when boys played mixed- and same-gender games. When boys played mixed-gender games, SSG were considered more fun than LSG. Physical education teachers and coaches should consider gender and game format differences when using soccer.

Organization of Students and Total Task Time: External and Internal Load Recorded during Motor Activity

“…As well as numerical equality SSGs, the study findings recommend the use of full games, which also cause high levels of intensity during motor performance. The study developed by Póvoas et al [14] followed this tendency, although they found that the HR avg was significantly greater in SSGs than during full games. In contrast to the present study (5 vs. 5 format), these authors referred to the 12 vs. 12 playing format as a full game.…”

“…Equally, according to the type of intensity of the physical activity performed in PE classes, the students should spend at least 50% of the time recording MVPA values for adequate cardiovascular work in order to prevent being overweight and obesity [1]. Invasion sports are included in the Spanish study program, and they have great potential to maintain the students' motivation while they perform a very demanding activity [14], providing greater opportunities for reaching MVPA [15]. In this sense, Kalajas-Tilga et al [16] reported that intrinsic motivation of adolescent students toward physical education should be increased to improve MVPA, since there is a relationship between the two.…”

“…Some of these elements have been studied to discover the intensity levels (iTL-HR) of PE classes both in primary and secondary education, in the former to compare the HRs after the implementation of two teaching programs, each based on a different technical and tactical methodology and directed toward the teaching of basketball [22] and soccer [23], to contrast the HRs and the percentage of time that the students were recording MVPA values, taking into account the type of participation-consecutive (rows) and simultaneous (circuits)-after practicing different motor abilities like locomotion, jumps, shooting, and receiving [24], or to understand the effects of formative soccer programs based on Small-Sided Games (SSGs) and strength training compared with SSGs on the HR [25]. In secondary education, we also analyze the differences between the HR and the percentage of time the adolescents recorded MVPA values after playing in two situations or play formats-SSGs and large-sided games or full games [14]-or determine the time spent in MVPA values according to the sport discipline: individual sports, team sports, traditional games, and dances [12].…”

Effects of 12 weeks of recreational football (soccer) with caloric control on glycemia and cardiovascular health of adolescent boys with type 1 diabetes

“…The recommendation was to prevent a rise in blood glucose levels when performing high-intensity exercise. 22,23 Prevention of a rise in glucose levels was necessary as the heart rates of healthy adolescent boys during small-sided football games are around 79% 24 to 84.6% 25 of the maximum heart rate. The participants of the pilot study used heart rate monitors (Polar H10 coupled with Polar A370 watch, Polar) to check whether they exceeded the exercise intensity.…”

Boys’ Experience of Physical Education When Their Gender Is in a Strong Minority

“…A literature search indicates that gender-related research in PE is most often concerned with girls’ well-being, inclusion, and engagement ( Garrett, 2004 ; Oliver and Lalik, 2004 ; Oliver et al, 2009 ; Hill, 2015a ; Oliver and Kirk, 2016 ; Lamb et al, 2018 ) even if there are studies focused upon boys’ relation to PE ( Davison, 2000 ; Drummond, 2003 ; Tischler and McCaughtry, 2011 , 2014 ; Hill, 2015b ; Gerdin, 2017 ; Gerdin and Larsson, 2018 ; Monney and Gerdin, 2018 ). Benefits of single-sex vs. mixed sex PE has been studied in a few studies concerning, for instance, students’ activity levels or heart rate in single-sex or mixed groups (e.g., Mutz and Burrmann, 2014 ; Póvoas et al, 2018 ; Wallace et al, 2020 ). Also, gender studies concerning experiences of sexual minorities in sports and PE have increased in the last few years (see, e.g., Kavoura and Kokkonen, 2020 ).…”