Sleep DeprivationNCT07314645
Strategic Daytime Napping Enhances Agility and Lowers Perceived Exertion But Does Not Improve Fatigue Resistance in Adolescent Soccer Players
A study testing Pro Agility Test, Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) in people with Sleep Deprivation and Athletic Performance, run by Uludag University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Background Daytime napping is increasingly incorporated into athletic recovery routines to manage sleepiness and support alertness. However, the effects of different nap durations on high-intensity anaerobic performance tasks remain insufficiently characterized, particularly in team-sport settings. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 16 to 19 years, men only
- Conditions the study is for
- Sleep Deprivation, Athletic Performance, Fatigue
- What is being tested?
- Pro Agility Test, Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
- 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
- 10 May 2024to 18 May 2024
- 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
- Men only
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- being a member of the Yeni Malatyaspor U19 or U17 team
- having no history of illness or injury
- no regular napping habit
Who cannot join
- active infections
- hyperactivity
- sleep disorders
- sleep problems on protocol days
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Background
Daytime napping is increasingly incorporated into athletic recovery routines to manage sleepiness and support alertness. However, the effects of different nap durations on high-intensity anaerobic performance tasks remain insufficiently characterized, particularly in team-sport settings. Nap duration and circadian timing may influence psychomotor readiness, perceived exertion, and fatigue-related responses, yet existing evidence is limited and inconsistent in adolescent athlete populations. This study is designed to examine the acute effects of two daytime nap durations within a controlled experimental framework.
Read more
Methods
This study will employ a randomized, crossover design involving sixteen competitive male adolescent soccer players classified as intermediate chronotypes. Each participant will complete three experimental conditions in a randomized order: no nap (N0), a 25-minute nap (N25), and a 45-minute nap (N45), with standardized washout periods between sessions. Nap compliance will be objectively monitored using wrist-worn actigraphy.
Following each condition, participants will observe a standardized 60-minute post-nap wakefulness period prior to performance testing. Agility performance will be assessed using the Pro Agility Test, and anaerobic endurance will be evaluated using a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) protocol. Psychophysiological measures will include ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), the Hooper Index, visual analogue scales (VAS) for subjective alertness, and mood states assessed via the Profile of Mood States (POMS). These outcomes will be collected to compare responses across nap conditions.
Objectives
The primary objective of this study is to compare the acute effects of two daytime nap durations (25 minutes vs 45 minutes) on agility performance in adolescent soccer players without a habitual napping routine. Secondary objectives include examining nap-related differences in repeated-sprint performance indices, perceived exertion, subjective alertness, and mood states.
Keywords
daytime nap; athletic recovery; agility; repeated-sprint ability; perceived exertion; mood; chronotype
- Conditions
- Sleep Deprivation, Athletic Performance, Fatigue
- Being tested
- Pro Agility Test, Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test, Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
- Keywords
- Daytime Napping, Sleep Inertia, Perceived Exertion, Mood State, Agility, Repeated Sprint Ability, Chronotype
- Medical subject headings
- Sleep Deprivation, Fatigue, Idiopathic Hypersomnia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Pro Agility TestBehavioural
The Pro Agility Test (20-yard shuttle run) evaluates change-of-direction speed. Participants started from the center point, ran 5 yards to the left, then 10 yards to the right, and finally 5 yards back to the center. The total distance was 18.28 meters, and the time to complete the sequence was recorded. Agility and RSA timings were recorded using a dual-beam electronic timing system (SmarTracks, Germany) with a sampling frequency of 1,000 Hz, positioned at the start and finish lines at hip level. This minimized human error and ensured millisecond precision.
Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) TestBehavioural
The RSA test measures an athlete's ability to repeatedly produce maximal sprint efforts with limited recovery. This study employed 6 × 30-meter sprints with 20-second rest intervals between each sprint, a protocol commonly used in team sports to assess anaerobic endurance.
Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)Behavioural
RPE was assessed using the Borg Scale (6-20), which captures the participant's subjective effort during physical activity. RPE was recorded immediately after each sprint during the RSA Test, and the average RPE score represented overall perceived exertion for the session.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| No Nap | Experimental | No Nap Conditions Receives: Behavioral: Pro Agility Test; Behavioral: Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test; Behavioral: Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) |
| 25 Min Nap | Experimental | 25 Min Nap Conditions Receives: Behavioral: Pro Agility Test; Behavioral: Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test; Behavioral: Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) |
| 45 Min Nap | Experimental | 45 Min Nap Conditions Receives: Behavioral: Pro Agility Test; Behavioral: Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test; Behavioral: Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pro Agility Test
Change-of-direction performance assessed using the Pro Agility Test (20-yard shuttle run).
Participants will complete the test following each experimental condition (no nap, 25-minute nap, and 45-minute nap).
The total time to complete the test will be recorded in seconds using an electronic timing system.
Measured: Immediately after completion of each experimental condition, within a single testing session.
Best sprint (s)
Best sprint time measured during a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test. Participants will perform a standardized RSA protocol consisting of repeated maximal sprints with fixed recovery intervals.
The fastest single sprint time achieved during each RSA test will be recorded in seconds for each experimental condition (no nap, 25-minute nap, and 45-minute nap) using an electronic timing system.
Measured: During each experimental testing session, immediately following the nap or no-nap condition.
Total sprint (s)
Total sprint time measured during a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test. Participants will perform a standardized RSA protocol consisting of repeated maximal sprints separated by fixed recovery intervals.
Total sprint time will be calculated as the sum of all sprint times completed during the RSA test for each experimental condition (no nap, 25-minute nap, and 45-minute nap) and recorded in seconds using an electronic timing system.
Measured: During each experimental testing session, immediately following the nap or no-nap condition.
4. Rate of Perceived Exertipon (RPE)
Perceived exertion assessed using the Borg 6-20 Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale.
Participants will report their perceived exertion immediately after each sprint during the repeated-sprint ability test.
The mean RPE score for each testing session will be calculated for each experimental condition.
Measured: Immediately after completion of the repeated-sprint ability test in each experimental session.
Hooper Index
Subjective recovery status assessed using the Hooper Questionnaire. The questionnaire evaluates perceived fatigue, stress, muscle soreness, and sleep quality using standardized Likert-scale ratings.
Participants will complete the Hooper Questionnaire following each experimental condition (no nap, 25-minute nap, and 45-minute nap), and a total Hooper Index score will be calculated for each session.
Measured: After completion of each experimental session, following the nap or no-nap condition.
Subjective Alertness (VAS)
Subjective alertness will be assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Participants will rate their perceived level of alertness on a 100-mm horizontal line anchored by "extremely sleepy" at one end and "fully alert" at the other.
VAS assessments will be completed following each experimental condition (no nap, 25-minute nap, and 45-minute nap), and the distance from the left anchor will be recorded in millimeters as the alertness score.
Measured: After completion of each experimental session, following the nap or no-nap condition.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Sleep quality will be assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The PSQI is a validated self-report questionnaire consisting of 19 items that generate a global score ranging from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating poorer subjective sleep quality.
The PSQI will be administered once at baseline to characterize participants' habitual sleep quality prior to the experimental nap protocols.
Measured: At baseline, prior to the first experimental session.
Resting Heart Rate (HR)
Resting heart rate will be measured in beats per minute (bpm) under standardized resting conditions.
Heart rate will be recorded following a seated rest period prior to the experimental procedures to provide a baseline physiological characteristic of the participants.
Measured: At baseline, prior to the first experimental session.
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
Mood states will be assessed using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire.
The POMS evaluates multiple dimensions of mood, including tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue, and confusion.
Participants will complete the questionnaire under standardized conditions to characterize baseline psychological status prior to the nap interventions.
Measured: At baseline, prior to the first experimental session.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Jan 2026
- Study start10 May 2024
- Primary completion18 May 2024
- Study completion18 May 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Sleep DeprivationStudies 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
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Uludag University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Inonu University, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Mertkan Öncü, Uludag University
- Investigators
- Mertkan Öncü, MsC, Study chair, Uludag UniversityMonira I. Aldhahi, PhD, Principal investigator, Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07314645
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2024/5635
- Status last verified
- Dec 2025
- First submitted
- 21 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 2 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared. The study involves a small, homogeneous sample of adolescent athletes, and the dataset includes sensitive performance and psychophysiological measures. Sharing IPD could compromise participant confidentiality and was not included in the original informed consent.
Publications
Eken O, Oncu M, Kurtoglu A, Bozkurt O, Turkmen M, Aldhahi MI. The Acute Effects of 25- Versus 60-Minute Naps on Agility and Vertical Jump Performance in Elite Youth Soccer Players: The Role of Individual Chronotype. Life (Basel). 2025 Mar 7;15(3):422. doi: 10.3390/life15030422.
PubMed 40141767
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 2 Jan 2026. 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
- NCT07314645
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2024/5635
- Conditions
- Sleep Deprivation, Athletic Performance, Fatigue
- Keywords
- Daytime Napping, Sleep Inertia, Perceived Exertion, Mood State, Agility, Repeated Sprint Ability, Chronotype
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Uludag UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Inonu University, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
- Study start
- 10 May 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 18 May 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 18 May 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 2 Jan 2026 (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.
Background
Daytime napping is increasingly incorporated into athletic recovery routines to manage sleepiness and support alertness. However, the effects of different nap durations on high-intensity anaerobic performance tasks remain insufficiently characterized, particularly in team-sport settings. Nap duration and circadian timing may influence psychomotor readiness, perceived exertion, and fatigue-related responses, yet existing evidence is limited and inconsistent in adolescent athlete populations. This study is designed to examine the acute effects of two daytime nap durations within a controlled experimental framework.
Methods
This study will employ a randomized, crossover design involving sixteen competitive male adolescent soccer players classified as intermediate chronotypes. Each participant will complete three experimental conditions in a randomized order: no nap (N0), a 25-minute nap (N25), and a 45-minute nap (N45), with standardized washout periods between sessions. Nap compliance will be objectively monitored using wrist-worn actigraphy.
Following each condition, participants will observe a standardized 60-minute post-nap wakefulness period prior to performance testing. Agility performance will be assessed using the Pro Agility Test, and anaerobic endurance will be evaluated using a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) protocol. Psychophysiological measures will include ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), the Hooper Index, visual analogue scales (VAS) for subjective alertness, and mood states assessed via the Profile of Mood States (POMS). These outcomes will be collected to compare responses across nap conditions.
Objectives
The primary objective of this study is to compare the acute effects of two daytime nap durations (25 minutes vs 45 minutes) on agility performance in adolescent soccer players without a habitual napping routine. Secondary objectives include examining nap-related differences in repeated-sprint performance indices, perceived exertion, subjective alertness, and mood states.
Keywords
daytime nap; athletic recovery; agility; repeated-sprint ability; perceived exertion; mood; chronotype
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| No Nap | Experimental | Behavioral: Pro Agility Test, Behavioral: Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test, Behavioral: Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)No Nap Conditions |
| 25 Min Nap | Experimental | Behavioral: Pro Agility Test, Behavioral: Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test, Behavioral: Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)25 Min Nap Conditions |
| 45 Min Nap | Experimental | Behavioral: Pro Agility Test, Behavioral: Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test, Behavioral: Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)45 Min Nap Conditions |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 16 to 19 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- being a member of the Yeni Malatyaspor U19 or U17 team
- having no history of illness or injury
- no regular napping habit
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- active infections
- hyperactivity
- sleep disorders
- sleep problems on protocol days
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pro Agility TestThe Pro Agility Test (20-yard shuttle run) evaluates change-of-direction speed. Participants started from the center point, ran 5 yards to the left, then 10 yards to the right, and finally 5 yards back to the center. The total distance was 18.28 meters, and the time to complete the sequence was recorded. Agility and RSA timings were recorded using a dual-beam electronic timing system (SmarTracks, Germany) with a sampling frequency of 1,000 Hz, positioned at the start and finish lines at hip level. This minimized human error and ensured millisecond precision. | Behavioural | 25 Min Nap, 45 Min Nap, No Nap |
| Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) TestThe RSA test measures an athlete's ability to repeatedly produce maximal sprint efforts with limited recovery. This study employed 6 × 30-meter sprints with 20-second rest intervals between each sprint, a protocol commonly used in team sports to assess anaerobic endurance. | Behavioural | 25 Min Nap, 45 Min Nap, No Nap |
| Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)RPE was assessed using the Borg Scale (6-20), which captures the participant's subjective effort during physical activity. RPE was recorded immediately after each sprint during the RSA Test, and the average RPE score represented overall perceived exertion for the session. | Behavioural | 25 Min Nap, 45 Min Nap, No Nap |
Primary outcome
Pro Agility Test
Time frame: Immediately after completion of each experimental condition, within a single testing session.
Change-of-direction performance assessed using the Pro Agility Test (20-yard shuttle run). Participants will complete the test following each experimental condition (no nap, 25-minute nap, and 45-minute nap). The total time to complete the test will be recorded in seconds using an electronic timing system.
Best sprint (s)
Time frame: During each experimental testing session, immediately following the nap or no-nap condition.
Best sprint time measured during a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test. Participants will perform a standardized RSA protocol consisting of repeated maximal sprints with fixed recovery intervals. The fastest single sprint time achieved during each RSA test will be recorded in seconds for each experimental condition (no nap, 25-minute nap, and 45-minute nap) using an electronic timing system.
Total sprint (s)
Time frame: During each experimental testing session, immediately following the nap or no-nap condition.
Total sprint time measured during a repeated-sprint ability (RSA) test. Participants will perform a standardized RSA protocol consisting of repeated maximal sprints separated by fixed recovery intervals. Total sprint time will be calculated as the sum of all sprint times completed during the RSA test for each experimental condition (no nap, 25-minute nap, and 45-minute nap) and recorded in seconds using an electronic timing system.
4. Rate of Perceived Exertipon (RPE)
Time frame: Immediately after completion of the repeated-sprint ability test in each experimental session.
Perceived exertion assessed using the Borg 6-20 Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale. Participants will report their perceived exertion immediately after each sprint during the repeated-sprint ability test. The mean RPE score for each testing session will be calculated for each experimental condition.
Hooper Index
Time frame: After completion of each experimental session, following the nap or no-nap condition.
Subjective recovery status assessed using the Hooper Questionnaire. The questionnaire evaluates perceived fatigue, stress, muscle soreness, and sleep quality using standardized Likert-scale ratings. Participants will complete the Hooper Questionnaire following each experimental condition (no nap, 25-minute nap, and 45-minute nap), and a total Hooper Index score will be calculated for each session.
Subjective Alertness (VAS)
Time frame: After completion of each experimental session, following the nap or no-nap condition.
Subjective alertness will be assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Participants will rate their perceived level of alertness on a 100-mm horizontal line anchored by "extremely sleepy" at one end and "fully alert" at the other. VAS assessments will be completed following each experimental condition (no nap, 25-minute nap, and 45-minute nap), and the distance from the left anchor will be recorded in millimeters as the alertness score.
3 secondary outcomes
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Time frame: At baseline, prior to the first experimental session.
Resting Heart Rate (HR)
Time frame: At baseline, prior to the first experimental session.
Profile of Mood States (POMS)
Time frame: At baseline, prior to the first 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 2 Jan 2026.
- Results publication: PubMed 40141767Eken O, Oncu M, Kurtoglu A, Bozkurt O, Turkmen M, Aldhahi MI. The Acute Effects of 25- Versus 60-Minute Naps on Agility and Vertical Jump Performance in Elite Youth Soccer Players: The Role of Individual Chronotype. Life (Basel). 2025 Mar 7;15(3):422. doi: 10.3390/life15030422.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared. The study involves a small, homogeneous sample of adolescent athletes, and the dataset includes sensitive performance and psychophysiological measures. Sharing IPD could compromise participant confidentiality and was not included in the original informed consent.
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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.
Mertkan Öncü, MsC study chair
Uludag University
Monira I. Aldhahi, PhD principal investigator
Nourah bint Abdulrahman University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Pro Agility Test, Repeated-Sprint Ability (RSA) Test and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) in people with Sleep Deprivation and Athletic Performance, run by Uludag 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 3 inclusion and 4 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 2 Jan 2026. 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?
Pro Agility Test (time frame: Immediately after completion of each experimental condition, within a single testing session.). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07314645, which also lists 1 linked publication.
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 2 Jan 2026.