Sleep DurationNCT07873203
Delayed Morning Training, Sleep, and Change-of-Direction Performance in Badminton Athletes
A study testing Usual Morning Training Schedule and Delayed Morning Training Schedule in people with Sleep Duration and Athletic Performance, run by Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, China at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial will investigate whether delaying the start of morning training from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM improves nocturnal sleep and change-of-direction performance in elite badminton athletes. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Sleep Duration, Athletic Performance
- What is being tested?
- Usual Morning Training Schedule and Delayed Morning Training Schedule
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 38 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2026to 30 Jan 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Elite badminton athletes receiving systematic professional badminton training and able to competently perform the modified 505 change-of-direction test.
- A stable morning-training schedule during the previous 4 weeks.
- Ability to maintain the same training phase, training location, and accommodation conditions throughout the study period.
- Ability to complete baseline monitoring, the 3-week intervention, and pre- and post-intervention assessments.
- Ability to understand the study procedures and willingness to provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Injury or musculoskeletal condition that prevents safe completion of maximal-effort change-of-direction testing.
- Unstable cardiovascular, neurological, or other health conditions.
- Deemed unsuitable for maximal-effort training or testing by sports medicine personnel.
- Planned participation in a major competition, off-site training camp, or trans-time-zone travel during the study period.
- A previously diagnosed sleep disorder.
- Inability to comply with activity-monitor wear, sleep-diary completion, or assigned training-time requirements.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China1 site
Capital University of Physical Education and Sports
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100191
Tongwu Yu, PhD, +86 18101351378, 18101351378@163.com
About this study
Official title: Effects of Delaying the Start of Morning Training on Nocturnal Sleep and Change-of-Direction Performance in Badminton Athletes
This randomized controlled trial will investigate whether delaying the start of morning training from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM improves nocturnal sleep and change-of-direction performance in elite badminton athletes. A total of 38 athletes with an established morning-training routine will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a usual morning-training group starting at 7:00 AM or a delayed morning-training group starting at 9:00 AM. Both groups will follow the same training content, duration, intensity, coaching arrangements, and recovery procedures for three weeks.
Nocturnal sleep will be objectively monitored using wrist-worn activity monitors, with total sleep time as the primary outcome. Change-of-direction performance will be assessed using the modified 505 test. Additional outcomes will include sleep opportunity, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, nighttime awakenings, bedtime and wake time, nap duration, 24-hour total sleep, training load, and training adherence.
The study aims to determine whether a later morning-training schedule can provide athletes with greater sleep opportunity without compromising training quality or physical performance.
Read the detailed description
This study is a two-arm, parallel-group, individually randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of delaying morning training on sleep and change-of-direction performance in elite badminton athletes.
Thirty-eight athletes with a stable morning-training routine will be enrolled and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to a usual morning-training group or a delayed morning-training group. Randomization will be stratified by sex and recruitment batch using concealed variable block sizes. The study will be conducted in two recruitment batches, with the second batch starting approximately four weeks after the first. Outcome assessors, sleep-data scorers, and statistical analysts will be blinded to the actual group allocation.
Before randomization, participants will complete health and injury screening, sleep-disorder risk screening, questionnaires, and a baseline monitoring period. Wrist-worn activity monitors will be used to objectively assess sleep. Participants will also complete sleep diaries documenting bedtime, sleep timing, nighttime awakenings, wake time, naps, device removal, caffeine and alcohol intake, medications or supplements, illness, pain, additional training, and other events that may affect sleep.
During the 3-week intervention period, both groups will complete five morning-training sessions per week, for a total of 15 sessions. The usual morning-training group will begin training at 7:00 AM, whereas the delayed morning-training group will begin at 9:00 AM. Each morning session will last approximately 90 minutes. Apart from the assigned training start time, the two groups will follow the same daily training plan, including training content, duration, sets, rest intervals, venue, equipment, coaching arrangements, afternoon training, dietary principles, and recovery procedures.
The primary outcome will be objectively measured nocturnal total sleep time during the intervention period. The key secondary outcome will be change-of-direction performance assessed using the modified 505 test. The modified 505 test will be conducted before and after the intervention under standardized conditions. Each athlete will complete three valid trials, and the fastest valid completion time will be used as the main performance measure.
Additional sleep-related outcomes will include sleep opportunity, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, nighttime awakenings, bedtime, wake time, nap duration, and 24-hour total sleep. Training load, training adherence, session rating of perceived exertion, protocol deviations, injuries, and adverse events will also be recorded.
The primary analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. The primary sleep outcome will be compared between groups using analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline sleep duration, sex, and recruitment batch. The post-intervention modified 505 outcome will also be analyzed using analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline performance, sex, and recruitment batch. Repeated nightly sleep measurements will additionally be analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Effect estimates will be reported with 95% confidence intervals.
- Conditions
- Sleep Duration, Athletic Performance
- Being tested
- Usual Morning Training Schedule, Delayed Morning Training Schedule
- Keywords
- Badminton, Elite Athletes, Morning Training, Training Start Time, Sleep Duration, Nocturnal Sleep, Change-of-Direction Performance, Modified 505 Test, Training Load, Sleep Monitoring
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Usual Morning Training ScheduleBehavioural
Participants assigned to the usual morning-training group will begin each scheduled morning training session at 7:00 AM. The intervention will last for 3 consecutive weeks, with five morning-training sessions per week and 15 sessions in total. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes and will include standardized warm-up, badminton-specific technical training, footwork and change-of-direction exercises, multi-shuttle or tactical training, and cool-down. Training content, duration, workload, rest intervals, coaching arrangements, venue, diet, and recovery procedures will be matched to those of the delayed morning-training group.
Delayed Morning Training ScheduleBehavioural
Participants assigned to the delayed morning-training group will begin each scheduled morning training session at 9:00 AM, representing a 120-minute delay from the usual 7:00 AM schedule. The intervention will last for 3 consecutive weeks, with five morning-training sessions per week and 15 sessions in total. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes and will follow the same standardized training content and workload as the usual morning-training group. No mandatory roll call, early class, group activity, or other required task will be scheduled before the 9:00 AM training session.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Usual Morning Training Group | Active comparator | Participants assigned to the usual morning-training group will continue their regular morning-training schedule, beginning training at 7:00 AM. They will complete five morning-training sessions per week for three consecutive weeks, for a total of 15 sessions. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes. Training content, duration, sets, rest intervals, venue, equipment, coaching arrangements, afternoon training, dietary principles, and recovery procedures will be standardized and matched to those of the delayed morning-training group. Receives: Behavioral: Usual Morning Training Schedule |
| Delayed Morning Training Group | Experimental | Participants assigned to the delayed morning-training group will begin morning training at 9:00 AM, representing a 120-minute delay compared with the usual 7:00 AM schedule. They will complete five morning-training sessions per week for three consecutive weeks, for a total of 15 sessions. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes. No mandatory roll call, early class, group activity, or other required task will be scheduled before the 9:00 AM training session. Training content, duration, sets, rest intervals, venue, equipment, coaching arrangements, afternoon training, dietary principles, and recovery procedures will otherwise be matched to those of the usual morning-training group. Receives: Behavioral: Delayed Morning Training Schedule |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Average Nocturnal Total Sleep Time During the Intervention Period
Nocturnal total sleep time will be objectively measured using a wrist-worn activity monitor. Total sleep time is defined as the total number of minutes classified as sleep within the main nocturnal sleep period, excluding periods classified as wakefulness. The primary outcome will be calculated for each participant as the mean nocturnal total sleep time across valid target nights during the 3-week intervention period. Higher values indicate longer nocturnal sleep duration.
Measured: Throughout the 3-week intervention period, from Day 1 through Day 21
Secondary outcomes (1)
Modified 505 Change-of-Direction Test Completion Time
Change-of-direction performance will be assessed using the modified 505 test under standardized conditions. Each participant will complete three valid trials, and the fastest valid completion time will be used as the outcome value. Completion time will be measured in seconds using electronic timing gates. Lower values indicate better change-of-direction performance.
Measured: Day 22, after the 3-week intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted14 Oct 2026
- Study start1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Jan 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Sleep DurationStudies 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- Participants will be individually randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either a usual morning-training group starting at 7:00 AM or a delayed morning-training group starting at 9:00 AM. Participants will remain in their assigned parallel group throughout the 3-week intervention period. Randomization will be stratified by sex and recruitment batch using concealed variable block sizes of 2 or 4.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, China
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Tongwu Yu, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, China
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07873203
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2026A174
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 6 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 14 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data are not planned for public sharing. To protect participant confidentiality in this relatively small cohort of elite athletes, access to individual-level data will be restricted to the study team in accordance with the approved protocol and data-management procedures. Study results will be reported in aggregate form.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 14 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Delaying the Start of Morning Training on Nocturnal Sleep and Change-of-Direction Performance in Badminton Athletes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07873203
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2026A174
- Conditions
- Sleep Duration, Athletic Performance
- Keywords
- Badminton, Elite Athletes, Morning Training, Training Start Time, Sleep Duration, Nocturnal Sleep, Change-of-Direction Performance, Modified 505 Test
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 38 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, ChinaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 14 Oct 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.
This randomized controlled trial will investigate whether delaying the start of morning training from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM improves nocturnal sleep and change-of-direction performance in elite badminton athletes. A total of 38 athletes with an established morning-training routine will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either a usual morning-training group starting at 7:00 AM or a delayed morning-training group starting at 9:00 AM. Both groups will follow the same training content, duration, intensity, coaching arrangements, and recovery procedures for three weeks.
Nocturnal sleep will be objectively monitored using wrist-worn activity monitors, with total sleep time as the primary outcome. Change-of-direction performance will be assessed using the modified 505 test. Additional outcomes will include sleep opportunity, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, nighttime awakenings, bedtime and wake time, nap duration, 24-hour total sleep, training load, and training adherence.
The study aims to determine whether a later morning-training schedule can provide athletes with greater sleep opportunity without compromising training quality or physical performance.
Detailed description
This study is a two-arm, parallel-group, individually randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of delaying morning training on sleep and change-of-direction performance in elite badminton athletes.
Thirty-eight athletes with a stable morning-training routine will be enrolled and randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to a usual morning-training group or a delayed morning-training group. Randomization will be stratified by sex and recruitment batch using concealed variable block sizes. The study will be conducted in two recruitment batches, with the second batch starting approximately four weeks after the first. Outcome assessors, sleep-data scorers, and statistical analysts will be blinded to the actual group allocation.
Before randomization, participants will complete health and injury screening, sleep-disorder risk screening, questionnaires, and a baseline monitoring period. Wrist-worn activity monitors will be used to objectively assess sleep. Participants will also complete sleep diaries documenting bedtime, sleep timing, nighttime awakenings, wake time, naps, device removal, caffeine and alcohol intake, medications or supplements, illness, pain, additional training, and other events that may affect sleep.
During the 3-week intervention period, both groups will complete five morning-training sessions per week, for a total of 15 sessions. The usual morning-training group will begin training at 7:00 AM, whereas the delayed morning-training group will begin at 9:00 AM. Each morning session will last approximately 90 minutes. Apart from the assigned training start time, the two groups will follow the same daily training plan, including training content, duration, sets, rest intervals, venue, equipment, coaching arrangements, afternoon training, dietary principles, and recovery procedures.
The primary outcome will be objectively measured nocturnal total sleep time during the intervention period. The key secondary outcome will be change-of-direction performance assessed using the modified 505 test. The modified 505 test will be conducted before and after the intervention under standardized conditions. Each athlete will complete three valid trials, and the fastest valid completion time will be used as the main performance measure.
Additional sleep-related outcomes will include sleep opportunity, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, nighttime awakenings, bedtime, wake time, nap duration, and 24-hour total sleep. Training load, training adherence, session rating of perceived exertion, protocol deviations, injuries, and adverse events will also be recorded.
The primary analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. The primary sleep outcome will be compared between groups using analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline sleep duration, sex, and recruitment batch. The post-intervention modified 505 outcome will also be analyzed using analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline performance, sex, and recruitment batch. Repeated nightly sleep measurements will additionally be analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Effect estimates will be reported with 95% confidence intervals.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Participants will be individually randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either a usual morning-training group starting at 7:00 AM or a delayed morning-training group starting at 9:00 AM. Participants will remain in their assigned parallel group throughout the 3-week intervention period. Randomization will be stratified by sex and recruitment batch using concealed variable block sizes of 2 or 4.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Usual Morning Training Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Usual Morning Training ScheduleParticipants assigned to the usual morning-training group will continue their regular morning-training schedule, beginning training at 7:00 AM. They will complete five morning-training sessions per week for three consecutive weeks, for a total of 15 sessions. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes. Training content, duration, sets, rest intervals, venue, equipment, coaching arrangements, afternoon training, dietary principles, and recovery procedures will be standardized and matched to those of the delayed morning-training group. |
| Delayed Morning Training Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Delayed Morning Training ScheduleParticipants assigned to the delayed morning-training group will begin morning training at 9:00 AM, representing a 120-minute delay compared with the usual 7:00 AM schedule. They will complete five morning-training sessions per week for three consecutive weeks, for a total of 15 sessions. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes. No mandatory roll call, early class, group activity, or other required task will be scheduled before the 9:00 AM training session. Training content, duration, sets, rest intervals, venue, equipment, coaching arrangements, afternoon training, dietary principles, and recovery procedures will otherwise be matched to those of the usual morning-training group. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Elite badminton athletes receiving systematic professional badminton training and able to competently perform the modified 505 change-of-direction test.
- A stable morning-training schedule during the previous 4 weeks.
- Ability to maintain the same training phase, training location, and accommodation conditions throughout the study period.
- Ability to complete baseline monitoring, the 3-week intervention, and pre- and post-intervention assessments.
- Ability to understand the study procedures and willingness to provide written informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Injury or musculoskeletal condition that prevents safe completion of maximal-effort change-of-direction testing.
- Unstable cardiovascular, neurological, or other health conditions.
- Deemed unsuitable for maximal-effort training or testing by sports medicine personnel.
- Planned participation in a major competition, off-site training camp, or trans-time-zone travel during the study period.
- A previously diagnosed sleep disorder.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Usual Morning Training ScheduleParticipants assigned to the usual morning-training group will begin each scheduled morning training session at 7:00 AM. The intervention will last for 3 consecutive weeks, with five morning-training sessions per week and 15 sessions in total. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes and will include standardized warm-up, badminton-specific technical training, footwork and change-of-direction exercises, multi-shuttle or tactical training, and cool-down. Training content, duration, workload, rest intervals, coaching arrangements, venue, diet, and recovery procedures will be matched to those of the delayed morning-training group. | Behavioural | Usual Morning Training Group |
| Delayed Morning Training ScheduleParticipants assigned to the delayed morning-training group will begin each scheduled morning training session at 9:00 AM, representing a 120-minute delay from the usual 7:00 AM schedule. The intervention will last for 3 consecutive weeks, with five morning-training sessions per week and 15 sessions in total. Each session will last approximately 90 minutes and will follow the same standardized training content and workload as the usual morning-training group. No mandatory roll call, early class, group activity, or other required task will be scheduled before the 9:00 AM training session. | Behavioural | Delayed Morning Training Group |
Primary outcome
Average Nocturnal Total Sleep Time During the Intervention Period
Time frame: Throughout the 3-week intervention period, from Day 1 through Day 21
Nocturnal total sleep time will be objectively measured using a wrist-worn activity monitor. Total sleep time is defined as the total number of minutes classified as sleep within the main nocturnal sleep period, excluding periods classified as wakefulness. The primary outcome will be calculated for each participant as the mean nocturnal total sleep time across valid target nights during the 3-week intervention period. Higher values indicate longer nocturnal sleep duration.
1 secondary outcome
Modified 505 Change-of-Direction Test Completion Time
Time frame: Day 22, after the 3-week intervention
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 14 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data are not planned for public sharing. To protect participant confidentiality in this relatively small cohort of elite athletes, access to individual-level data will be restricted to the study team in accordance with the approved protocol and data-management procedures. Study results will be reported in aggregate form.
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Usual Morning Training Schedule and Delayed Morning Training Schedule in people with Sleep Duration and Athletic Performance, run by Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, China at 1 site in China.
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 5 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Oct 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 China. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Tongwu Yu, PhD (+86 18101351378, 18101351378@163.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Average Nocturnal Total Sleep Time During the Intervention Period (time frame: Throughout the 3-week intervention period, from Day 1 through Day 21). 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 14 Oct 2026.