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Morning Appointment Time Rather Than Training Load Affects Sleep During a Training Camp in Young Elite Rugby Union
Maxime Chauvineau1,2, Bertrand Mathieu3, Gaëtan Boissard3
1Laboratory Sport, Expertise and Performance (EA 7370), French Institute of Sport (INSEP), Paris, France.
European Journal of Sport Science
|October 19, 2025
Summary
Elite young rugby players experienced poor sleep during training camps, with early morning schedules and high training loads negatively impacting sleep duration and quality. Coaches should optimize camp schedules to improve player recovery and performance.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Sleep Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Training camps are critical for athlete development but can disrupt sleep patterns.
- Understanding sleep's role in recovery for elite young athletes is crucial for performance.
- Previous research has not fully explored the combined impact of training load and camp scheduling on sleep architecture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate sleep patterns and architecture in elite male under-20 rugby union players during a 10-day training camp.
- To investigate the influence of daily training load and morning appointment times on player sleep.
- To identify sleep disturbances prevalent during intensive training periods.
Main Methods:
- Actigraphy and electroencephalography (EEG) were used to assess sleep-wake patterns and sleep architecture.
- Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers measured training load, specifically high-speed running distance.
- Perceived wellness was monitored using visual analogue scales.
- Data were collected over a 10-day training camp including two exhibition matches.
Main Results:
- A significant prevalence of insufficient sleep duration (<7h), prolonged wake after sleep onset (>40 min), and low sleep efficiency (<85%) was observed.
- Increased high-speed running distance correlated with longer sleep duration and fewer sleep stage shifts.
- The earliest morning appointment (7:30) coincided with the shortest sleep duration.
- Sleep duration and efficiency were significantly impaired when morning appointments were scheduled at 8:30 compared to 8:00.
Conclusions:
- Training camps represent a vulnerable period for sleep in elite young athletes.
- Controlled, non-excessive training loads can promote sleep quantity and continuity.
- Camp organizational factors, particularly early morning appointment times, significantly impact sleep-wake patterns and require careful consideration by coaching staff.
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