Effects of Different Nap Durations on Volleyball Performance and EEG Activity Following Mental Fatigue

Summary

Mental fatigue is known to impair cognitive and physical performance in athletes, but the effectiveness of different nap durations in counteracting these effects remains unclear. The purpose of this randomized crossover study is to investigate the effects of mental fatigue and different nap durations (20, 40, 60, and 90 minutes) on volleyball-specific performance and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in trained male volleyball players. Mental fatigue is induced using a 15-minute Stroop task. Performance outcomes include the Volleyball Agility Test (VAT) and Countermovement Jump (CMJ), while cortical activity is assessed using resting-state EEG recordings. The findings are expected to improve understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying mental fatigue and recovery and to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding optimal nap duration for athletes.

Conditions

• Mental Fatigue
• Recovery
• Volleyball
• Sport Performance

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Mental Fatigue Induction

Mental fatigue was induced using a standardized 15-minute computerized Stroop Color-Word Task designed to increase cognitive load and induce mental fatigue before performance and EEG assessments.

OTHER

Control Condition

Participants watched a neutral documentary for 15 minutes without mental fatigue induction or daytime nap intervention before EEG and performance assessments.

BEHAVIORAL

Daytime Nap 20 Minutes

Participants underwent a supervised 20-minute daytime nap following mental fatigue induction in a quiet, darkened room before post-intervention EEG and performance assessments.

BEHAVIORAL

Daytime Nap 40 Minutes

Participants underwent a supervised 40-minute daytime nap following mental fatigue induction in a quiet, darkened room before post-intervention EEG and performance assessments.

BEHAVIORAL

Daytime Nap 60 Minutes

Participants underwent a supervised 60-minute daytime nap following mental fatigue induction in a quiet, darkened room before post-intervention EEG and performance assessments.

BEHAVIORAL

Daytime Nap 90 Minutes

Participants underwent a supervised 90-minute daytime nap following mental fatigue induction in a quiet, darkened room before post-intervention EEG and performance assessments.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Inonu University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ozgur EKEN, Associate Professor · Inonu University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

19 Years

Max Age

22 Years

Sex

MALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-10-01

Primary Completion

2025-12-01

Completion

2025-12-01

Countries

• Turkey (Türkiye)

Study Locations