Research article - (2025)24, 292 - 302
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2025.292
The Effect of Well-Being and Exercise Intensity on Enjoyment in Soccer Players
Weiqiang Xu1, Rui Miguel Silva2,3, Robert Trybulski4,5, Xinjie Han1, Yue Yu6, Filipe Manuel Clemente1,2,3,
1Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
2Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
3Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
4Medical Department Wojciech Korfanty, Upper Silesian Academy, Katowice, Poland
5Provita Żory Medical Center, Żory, Poland
6School of Physical Education, Shandong Normal University, 250358 Jinan, China

Filipe Manuel Clemente
✉ Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Email: filipe.clemente5@gmail.com
Received: 26-08-2024 -- Accepted: 08-12-2024
Published (online): 01-06-2025
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.
Key words: Psychological factors, training load, perceived exertion, recovery, team sports

Key Points
  • Mood disturbance (TMD) consistently predicted lower enjoyment across all training formats, indicating that athletes with better emotional well-being tend to perceive their training as more enjoyable, particularly in relation to training intensity.
  • Insufficient sleep negatively impacted enjoyment during long HIIT, while musculoskeletal discomfort was positively associated with enjoyment in 1v1 SSGs. In short HIIT, athletes who felt well-recovered reported higher enjoyment levels.
  • Higher perceived effort during long HIIT sessions was linked to lower enjoyment, highlighting the importance of managing training intensity and ensuring recovery to maintain athletes' positive affective responses.








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The Effect of Well-Being and Exercise Intensity on Enjoyment in Soccer Players
Weiqiang Xu, Rui Miguel Silva, Robert Trybulski, Xinjie Han, Yue Yu, Filipe Manuel Clemente
2025(24), 292 - 302.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2025.292