Healthy ParticipantsNCT07264777
Strategic Daytime Napping Enhances Agility and Lowers Perceived Exertion
A study testing Strategic Napping Protocol and No Nap Condition (N0) in people with Healthy Participants, run by Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
This study investigates how short daytime naps affect physical performance and perceived exertion in competitive male soccer players. Using a repeated-measures crossover design, sixteen athletes from the U17 and U19 teams of Yeni Malatyaspor completed three experimental sessions separated by 48 hours. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 to 19 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy Participants
- What is being tested?
- Strategic Napping Protocol and No Nap Condition (N0)
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 16 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 25 Jan 2025to 1 Sep 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 16 to 19 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Male soccer players aged 16-19 years.
- Active members of the Yeni Malatyaspor U17 or U19 competitive teams.
- In good general health, with no acute or chronic illness or injury.
- Regularly engaged in organized soccer training and competition.
- No habitual daytime napping routine.
- Able and willing to comply with all study procedures and testing sessions.
- Obtained informed consent (and parental consent for participants under 18 years).
Who cannot join
- Current or recent (within 3 months) illness, injury, or infection.
- Diagnosed sleep disorders or reported sleep problems on test days.
- Hyperactivity or other conditions that could interfere with sleep or performance testing.
- Use of medications, caffeine, or substances that could affect sleep or performance.
- Failure to comply with pre-test instructions (e.g., abstaining from strenuous training, alcohol, or caffeine).
- Inability to adhere to nap or testing protocols.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Strategic Daytime Napping Enhances Agility and Lowers Perceived Exertion But Does Not Improve Fatigue Resistance in Adolescent Soccer Players
This study investigates how short daytime naps affect physical performance and perceived exertion in competitive male soccer players. Using a repeated-measures crossover design, sixteen athletes from the U17 and U19 teams of Yeni Malatyaspor completed three experimental sessions separated by 48 hours. Each session involved one of three conditions: no nap (N0), a 25-minute nap (N25), or a 45-minute nap (N45). Participants' agility, repeated-sprint ability, and exertion levels were tested after each condition. Objective sleep data were collected with Fitbit Charge 6 devices, and subjective measures included the Hooper Index, Profile of Mood States, and sleep quality scales.
The study aimed to determine whether strategic napping could acutely improve agility and reduce fatigue during anaerobic performance tasks in soccer players. It was hypothesized that longer naps would enhance agility and lower perceived exertion but would not significantly affect repeated-sprint performance.
Read the detailed description
repeated-measures crossover design was conducted to examine the acute effects of strategic daytime naps on anaerobic performance in competitive male soccer players. Sixteen players from the Yeni Malatyaspor U17 and U19 teams participated voluntarily. Each participant completed three test sessions under randomized conditions: no nap (N0), 25-minute nap (N25), and 45-minute nap (N45), with a 48-hour recovery period between sessions.
Before testing, all participants underwent familiarization sessions to adapt to nap protocols and performance tests. The nap sessions were held in dark, quiet rooms maintained at ~22°C. Fitbit Charge 6 devices objectively verified nap compliance and duration. Participants abstained from caffeine, alcohol, and strenuous activity for at least 24 hours before testing.
To minimize sleep inertia, physical performance testing began 60 minutes after awakening. The test battery included the Pro Agility Test (to assess change-of-direction speed) and the Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test (6 × 30 m sprints with 20-second recovery). Heart rate during warm-up and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded for standardization and subjective effort assessment.
Subjective measures included the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), Hooper Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) for sleep quality and alertness. All players were identified as intermediate chronotypes according to the MEQ.
Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI) were obtained using standardized equipment. Statistical analyses were conducted with SPSS v29, using repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction to compare conditions. Effect sizes (ηp², Cohen's dz) and correlations between psychological and performance variables were calculated.
The study hypothesized that short daytime naps would enhance agility and reduce perceived exertion, with longer naps (45 min) providing greater benefits. However, due to the multifactorial nature of repeated-sprint performance, no significant improvements were expected in RSA results. The findings contribute to understanding individualized recovery strategies for soccer players and optimizing nap duration for performance enhancement.
- Conditions
- Healthy Participants
- Being tested
- Strategic Napping Protocol, No Nap Condition (N0)
- Keywords
- Daytime naps, Anaerobic performance, Fatigue, Exercise physiology, Youth athlete, Agility
- Medical subject headings
- Fatigue
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Strategic Napping ProtocolBehavioural
Also called Controlled Nap Duration Protocol
This behavioral intervention examines the acute effects of short daytime naps on anaerobic performance and perceived exertion in competitive male soccer players. Each participant completed three nap conditions in a randomized crossover design:
No Nap (N0): Participants remained awake in a quiet, dimly lit room during the nap opportunity.
25-Minute Nap (N25): Participants took a 25-minute nap opportunity at 14:00 in a dark, quiet, temperature-controlled room (~22°C).
45-Minute Nap (N45): Participants took a 45-minute nap opportunity under the same environmental conditions.
Sleep onset, duration, and wake time were objectively verified using Fitbit Charge 6 actigraphy. To minimize sleep inertia, all performance testing-including the Pro Agility Test, Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test, and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)-was conducted 60 minutes after awakening.
No Nap Condition (N0)Behavioural
Participants remained awake during the designated nap period in a quiet, dimly lit environment. No sleep was permitted. Following a 60-minute rest period, participants completed the Pro Agility Test and Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected after each sprint to assess subjective effort.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| No Nap Condition (N0) | Experimental | Participants remained awake during the designated nap period in a quiet, dimly lit environment. No sleep was permitted. Following a 60-minute rest period, agility, repeated-sprint ability, and perceived exertion tests were conducted. Receives: Behavioral: No Nap Condition (N0) |
| 25-Minute Nap Condition (N25) | Experimental | Participants took a 25-minute daytime nap opportunity at 14:00 in a dark, quiet room (~22°C). Sleep was verified using Fitbit actigraphy. Sixty minutes after awakening, participants completed agility and repeated-sprint tests with exertion and recovery assessments. Receives: Behavioral: Strategic Napping Protocol |
| 45-Minute Nap Condition (N45) | Experimental | Participants took a 45-minute daytime nap opportunity at 14:00 in a dark, quiet room (~22°C). Sleep was verified via Fitbit actigraphy. After a 60-minute post-nap recovery period, agility, repeated-sprint, and perceived exertion measures were collected. Receives: Behavioral: Strategic Napping Protocol |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in Agility Performance (Pro Agility Test Time)
Agility performance will be measured using the Pro Agility Test (20-yard shuttle run). The time (in seconds) required to complete the test will be recorded using an electronic timing system (SmarTracks, Germany). Lower times indicate better agility performance.
Measured: Measured 60 minutes after awakening in each nap condition (No Nap, 25-min Nap, 45-min Nap).
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA)
Repeated-sprint performance will be assessed using a 6 × 30-meter sprint test with 20-second rest intervals. The total sprint time and mean sprint time will be recorded electronically. Improvements are indicated by reduced sprint times.
Measured: Measured 60 minutes after awakening in each nap condition.
Change in Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Sleep quality and alertness will be assessed using a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Participants will rate how well they slept and their level of alertness upon awakening. Higher values indicate better subjective sleep quality.
Measured: Immediately after each nap condition (25-min and 45-min naps).
Change in Fatigue, Stress, and Recovery (Hooper Index Scores)
Description:
The Hooper Index will be used to assess perceived fatigue, muscle soreness, stress, and sleep quality on a 1-7 Likert scale. Lower scores indicate better recovery and wellness status.
Measured: Immediately after completion of each experimental session.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Dec 2025
- Study start25 Jan 2025
- Primary completion25 Aug 2025
- Study completion1 Sep 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Healthy ParticipantsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Inonu University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Monira Aldhahi, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07264777
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PNU-6
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 23 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 4 Dec 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: Individual participant data will not be shared because the dataset includes identifiable information related to a small group of youth athletes, which could compromise participant confidentiality. Summary results and aggregated findings will be published in scientific journals and shared upon reasonable request.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Dec 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Strategic Daytime Napping Enhances Agility and Lowers Perceived Exertion But Does Not Improve Fatigue Resistance in Adolescent Soccer Players
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07264777
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PNU-6
- Conditions
- Healthy Participants
- Keywords
- Daytime naps, Anaerobic performance, Fatigue, Exercise physiology, Youth athlete, Agility
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Inonu University
- Study start
- 25 Jan 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Sep 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study investigates how short daytime naps affect physical performance and perceived exertion in competitive male soccer players. Using a repeated-measures crossover design, sixteen athletes from the U17 and U19 teams of Yeni Malatyaspor completed three experimental sessions separated by 48 hours. Each session involved one of three conditions: no nap (N0), a 25-minute nap (N25), or a 45-minute nap (N45). Participants' agility, repeated-sprint ability, and exertion levels were tested after each condition. Objective sleep data were collected with Fitbit Charge 6 devices, and subjective measures included the Hooper Index, Profile of Mood States, and sleep quality scales.
The study aimed to determine whether strategic napping could acutely improve agility and reduce fatigue during anaerobic performance tasks in soccer players. It was hypothesized that longer naps would enhance agility and lower perceived exertion but would not significantly affect repeated-sprint performance.
Detailed description
repeated-measures crossover design was conducted to examine the acute effects of strategic daytime naps on anaerobic performance in competitive male soccer players. Sixteen players from the Yeni Malatyaspor U17 and U19 teams participated voluntarily. Each participant completed three test sessions under randomized conditions: no nap (N0), 25-minute nap (N25), and 45-minute nap (N45), with a 48-hour recovery period between sessions.
Before testing, all participants underwent familiarization sessions to adapt to nap protocols and performance tests. The nap sessions were held in dark, quiet rooms maintained at ~22°C. Fitbit Charge 6 devices objectively verified nap compliance and duration. Participants abstained from caffeine, alcohol, and strenuous activity for at least 24 hours before testing.
To minimize sleep inertia, physical performance testing began 60 minutes after awakening. The test battery included the Pro Agility Test (to assess change-of-direction speed) and the Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test (6 × 30 m sprints with 20-second recovery). Heart rate during warm-up and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded for standardization and subjective effort assessment.
Subjective measures included the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), Hooper Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Profile of Mood States (POMS), and Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) for sleep quality and alertness. All players were identified as intermediate chronotypes according to the MEQ.
Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI) were obtained using standardized equipment. Statistical analyses were conducted with SPSS v29, using repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction to compare conditions. Effect sizes (ηp², Cohen's dz) and correlations between psychological and performance variables were calculated.
The study hypothesized that short daytime naps would enhance agility and reduce perceived exertion, with longer naps (45 min) providing greater benefits. However, due to the multifactorial nature of repeated-sprint performance, no significant improvements were expected in RSA results. The findings contribute to understanding individualized recovery strategies for soccer players and optimizing nap duration for performance enhancement.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| No Nap Condition (N0) | Experimental | Behavioral: No Nap Condition (N0)Participants remained awake during the designated nap period in a quiet, dimly lit environment. No sleep was permitted. Following a 60-minute rest period, agility, repeated-sprint ability, and perceived exertion tests were conducted. |
| 25-Minute Nap Condition (N25) | Experimental | Behavioral: Strategic Napping ProtocolParticipants took a 25-minute daytime nap opportunity at 14:00 in a dark, quiet room (~22°C). Sleep was verified using Fitbit actigraphy. Sixty minutes after awakening, participants completed agility and repeated-sprint tests with exertion and recovery assessments. |
| 45-Minute Nap Condition (N45) | Experimental | Behavioral: Strategic Napping ProtocolParticipants took a 45-minute daytime nap opportunity at 14:00 in a dark, quiet room (~22°C). Sleep was verified via Fitbit actigraphy. After a 60-minute post-nap recovery period, agility, repeated-sprint, and perceived exertion measures were collected. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 to 19 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Male soccer players aged 16-19 years.
- Active members of the Yeni Malatyaspor U17 or U19 competitive teams.
- In good general health, with no acute or chronic illness or injury.
- Regularly engaged in organized soccer training and competition.
- No habitual daytime napping routine.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Current or recent (within 3 months) illness, injury, or infection.
- Diagnosed sleep disorders or reported sleep problems on test days.
- Hyperactivity or other conditions that could interfere with sleep or performance testing.
- Use of medications, caffeine, or substances that could affect sleep or performance.
- Failure to comply with pre-test instructions (e.g., abstaining from strenuous training, alcohol, or caffeine).
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic Napping ProtocolAlso: Controlled Nap Duration ProtocolThis behavioral intervention examines the acute effects of short daytime naps on anaerobic performance and perceived exertion in competitive male soccer players. Each participant completed three nap conditions in a randomized crossover design: No Nap (N0): Participants remained awake in a quiet, dimly lit room during the nap opportunity. 25-Minute Nap (N25): Participants took a 25-minute nap opportunity at 14:00 in a dark, quiet, temperature-controlled room (~22°C). 45-Minute Nap (N45): Participants took a 45-minute nap opportunity under the same environmental conditions. Sleep onset, duration, and wake time were objectively verified using Fitbit Charge 6 actigraphy. To minimize sleep inertia, all performance testing-including the Pro Agility Test, Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test, and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)-was conducted 60 minutes after awakening. | Behavioural | 25-Minute Nap Condition (N25), 45-Minute Nap Condition (N45) |
| No Nap Condition (N0)Participants remained awake during the designated nap period in a quiet, dimly lit environment. No sleep was permitted. Following a 60-minute rest period, participants completed the Pro Agility Test and Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected after each sprint to assess subjective effort. | Behavioural | No Nap Condition (N0) |
Primary outcome
Change in Agility Performance (Pro Agility Test Time)
Time frame: Measured 60 minutes after awakening in each nap condition (No Nap, 25-min Nap, 45-min Nap).
Agility performance will be measured using the Pro Agility Test (20-yard shuttle run). The time (in seconds) required to complete the test will be recorded using an electronic timing system (SmarTracks, Germany). Lower times indicate better agility performance.
3 secondary outcomes
Change in Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA)
Time frame: Measured 60 minutes after awakening in each nap condition.
Change in Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
Time frame: Immediately after each nap condition (25-min and 45-min naps).
Change in Fatigue, Stress, and Recovery (Hooper Index Scores)
Time frame: Immediately after completion of each experimental session.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Dec 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided. Individual participant data will not be shared because the dataset includes identifiable information related to a small group of youth athletes, which could compromise participant confidentiality. Summary results and aggregated findings will be published in scientific journals and shared upon reasonable request.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Strategic Napping Protocol and No Nap Condition (N0) in people with Healthy Participants, run by Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Dec 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in Agility Performance (Pro Agility Test Time) (time frame: Measured 60 minutes after awakening in each nap condition (No Nap, 25-min Nap, 45-min Nap).). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Dec 2025.