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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07802093

Does Wearing Compression Garments Affect Sleep in Soccer Players

This study investigated the effects of nocturnal compression garments on sleep quantity and quality in young elite male soccer players. Eighteen players participated in a randomized controlled crossover protocol conducted over four consecutive weeks. During the first week, participants completed a control condition without wearing compression garments. During the following three weeks, they completed three experimental conditions in randomized order: full compression leggings, compression calf sleeves, and non-compressive placebo garments. Each condition was performed for seven consecutive nights. Objective sleep parameters were assessed using actigraphy, while subjective sleep quality was evaluated using validated self-report measures. Training load, perceptual factors, pre-sleep nutrition, and nocturnal thermal conditions were monitored and controlled to limit potential confounding factors. The primary objective was to determine whether nocturnal compression garment use affects sleep quantity and quality in young elite soccer players.

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Key information

Conditions

Sleep Fatigue Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

Up to 18 year

Sex eligibility

Male

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Centre technique et sportif de la Gaillette Gervais Martel

Avion, 62210, France

About this study

This randomized controlled crossover study was conducted in young elite male soccer players from a professional soccer club academy to investigate the effects of nocturnal compression garments on sleep quantity and quality.

The study was conducted over four consecutive weeks. During the first week, all participants completed a baseline control condition without wearing any garment during the night. This baseline condition was always performed first and was not randomized. During the following three weeks, participants completed three garment conditions in a randomized order: full-length compression leggings, compression calf sleeves, and non-compressive placebo garments. Each condition was maintained for seven consecutive nights.

Participants were instructed to put on the assigned garment approximately two hours before bedtime, wear it throughout the night, and remove it after waking. The placebo garment was designed to provide a similar wearing experience without applying meaningful compression.

Sleep was assessed objectively using wrist actigraphy and subjectively using self-reported sleep measures. Objective sleep variables included total sleep time, time in bed, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and the number of nocturnal awakenings.

To limit potential confounding factors, external and internal training loads, perceived stress, fatigue and muscle soreness, pre-sleep nutritional intake, and nocturnal thermal conditions were monitored throughout the experimental period. The study was conducted under standardized living and training conditions within the professional soccer academy environment.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Residence at the professional soccer academy throughout the study period.
  • Abstinence from tobacco and alcohol throughout the study period.
  • No caffeine intake within 12 hours before bedtime.
  • Absence of sleep deficit at inclusion.
  • Absence of illness at inclusion.

Exclusion criteria

  • Sustaining an injury during the study period.
  • Exposure to a training load substantially different from that of the rest of the group.
  • Development or presence of a sleep deficit during the study period.
  • Failure to consume the standardized evening meal provided at the academy cafeteria.
  • Consumption of caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol during the study period.
  • Removal of the assigned garment or actigraphy device during the night.

Treatment and study plan

Compression Leggings

Other

Participants wore fullcompression leggings from approximately two hours before bedtime until waking for seven consecutive nights.

Compression Calf Sleeves

Other

Participants wore compression calf sleeves from approximately two hours before bedtime until waking for seven consecutive nights.

Placebo

Other

Participants wore visually similar non-compressive placebo garments from approximately two hours before bedtime until waking for seven consecutive nights.

Primary outcomes

  1. Total Sleep Time

    Time frame: Assessed nightly during each 7-night condition

  2. Time in Bed

    Time frame: Assessed nightly during each 7-night condition

  3. Sleep Latency

    Time frame: Assessed nightly during each 7-night condition

  4. Mean Sleep Efficiency Assessed by Wrist Actigraphy

    Time frame: Measured nightly and averaged across the 7 consecutive nights of each condition

    Sleep efficiency was assessed by wrist actigraphy and calculated as the percentage of time in bed spent asleep. Nightly sleep efficiency values were averaged across the seven consecutive nights of each experimental condition. Higher values indicate greater sleep efficiency.

  5. Number of Nocturnal Awakenings

    Time frame: Assessed nightly during each 7-night condition

  6. Subjective Sleep Quality Assessed Using the Sleep Item of the Hooper Questionnaire

    Time frame: Assessed nightly during each 7-night condition

    Subjective sleep quality was assessed using the sleep-quality item of the Hooper Questionnaire (Hooper et al., 1995). Participants rated the quality of the previous night's sleep on a 7-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 (very, very good) to 7 (very, very bad), with higher scores indicating poorer perceived sleep quality.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universite de Picardie Jules Verne

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Does Wearing Compression Garments Affect Sleep in Soccer Players? A Randomized-controlled Cross-over Study From a Professional Soccer Club Academy

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Sep 3, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 3, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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