Evaluation of internal load intensity in under-11 soccer players: presence and absence of feedback in small-sided games. A case study

Abstract

The objectives were to compare small-sided games with different numbers of players (3 vs 3; 4 vs 4; 5 vs 5) with and without feedback. The participants were 12 male athletes in the under-11 category. HR monitors were used to measure HR, and the modified Borg scale (CR-10) was used to quantify their rating of perceived exertion (RPE). The RPE was also multiplied by exercise duration to generate s-RPE. All games were played twice, once with and once without feedback. In games with feedback, the greater the number of players, the higher the HR. The greater the number of athletes, the higher the RPE and s-RPE values, regardless of whether feedback is present. In 3 vs 3, HR was higher with feedback (p = .028); in 5 vs 5, RPE and s-RPE were higher with feedback than without (p = .026 for both). In conclusion, the results indicated a relationship between the number of athletes, the presence of feedback and variables such as HR, RPE and s-RPE. In games with feedback, the more athletes, the higher the HR. Furthermore, the greater number of athletes has been observed to increase RPE and s-RPE, regardless of feedback.