Verbal encouragement (VE) can be used by physical education (PE) practitioners for boosting motivation during exercise engagement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of VE on psychophysiological aspects and physical performance in a PE context. Twenty secondary school male students (age: 17.68 ± 0.51 yrs; height: 175.7 ± 6.2 cm; body mass: 67.3 ± 5.1 kg, %fat: 11.9 ± 3.1%; PE experience: 10.9 ± 1.0 yrs) completed, in a randomized order, two test sessions that comprised a soccer dribbling circuit exercise (the Hoff circuit) either with VE (CVE) or without VE (CNVE), with one-week apart between the tests. Heart rate (HR) responses were recorded throughout the circuit exercise sessions. Additionally, the profile of mood-state (POMS) was assessed pre and post the circuit exercises. Furthermore, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), traveled distance, and physical activity enjoyment (PACES) were assessed after the testing sessions. Furthermore, the CVE trial resulted in higher covered distance, %HRmax, RPE, PACES score, (Cohen’s coefficient d = 1.08, d = 1.86, d = 1.37, respectively; all, p < 0.01). The CNVE trial also showed lower vigor and higher total mood disturbance (TMD) (d = 0.67, d = 0.87, respectively, p < 0.05) and was associated with higher tension and fatigue, compared to the CVE trial (d = 0.77, d = 1.23, respectively, p < 0.01). The findings suggest that PE teachers may use verbal cues during soccer dribbling circuits for improving physical and psychophysiological responses within secondary school students.

Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technologies University of Salento 73100 Lecce Italy

Department of Exercise and Health Sciences University of Taipei Taipei 111 Taiwan

Discipline of Sport and Exercise Science Faculty of Health Southern Cross University Lismore 2480 Australia

Exercise and Health Promotion Association New Taipei City 241 Taiwan

Faculty of Physical Culture Palacký University 77900 Olomouc Czech Republic

High Institute of Education and Continuing Training of Tunis Virtual University of Tunisia Montplaisir 1073 Tunisia

Physical Activity Sport and Health Research Unit National Observatory of Sport Tunis 1003 Tunisia

Research Laboratory Education Motricity Sport and Health High Institute of Sport and Physical Education Sfax University Sfax 3000 Tunisia

Research Unit Sportive Performance and Physical Rehabilitation High Institute of Sports and Physical Education of Kef University of Jendouba EI Kef 7100 Tunisia

Tanyu Research Laboratory Taipei 112 Taiwan

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