This study examines whether doing moderate resistance exercises in the morning can improve sleep quality and well-being in young adults. Participants with different daily activity patterns (morning or evening types) will take part in an 8-week online exercise program. The study will compare how exercise affects sleep, mood, and daily rhythm across these groups.
Disturbed sleep is a widespread issue that affects health, mood, and daily function. Chronotype-the natural tendency to be active earlier or later in the day-may influence how people respond to exercise as a tool for improving sleep. This trial investigates the effects of an 8-week, moderate-intensity resistance exercise program performed in the morning, delivered through telerehabilitation. Participants include healthy young adults with self-identified morning or evening chronotypes. The study will measure changes in sleep quality, psychological well-being, alignment of daily rhythms, and will explore whether men and women respond differently to the program.. By comparing outcomes between chronotypes, this research aims to clarify whether exercise benefits are shaped by biological preference for morning or evening activity, or whether improvements occur regardless of chronotype. The central question is whether improvements occur equally across chronotypes, or if biological preference shapes the response to exercise. Null Hypothesis (H0): Moderate-intensity morning resistance exercise will have no differential effect on sleep quality, mood, or circadian alignment between participants with morning and evening chronotypes. Alternative Hypothesis (H1):Moderate-intensity morning resistance exercise will have a differential effect on sleep quality, mood, or circadian alignment between participants with morning and evening chronotypes.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
64
An 8-week, moderate-intensity resistance exercise program performed in the morning, 3 sessions/week on nonconsecutive days. Each 45-min session includes: 5-min warm-up (jumping jacks, high knees, running in place, hip hinge with reach, standing twists); 35-min progressive resistance training (Chest Press (Modified Push-Ups), Leg Press (Wall Sits with Squats), Squats, Shoulder Press (Resistance Band Overhead Press), Lat Pulldown (Resistance Band Pull-Downs), Rowing (Resistance Band Rows), Lower Back (Superman Holds), and Abdominals (Plank with Crunches)); and 5-min cool-down (Chest and Shoulder Stretch, Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch, Standing Hamstring Stretch, Child's Pose with Side Stretch, and Cat-Cow Stretch ). Muscle soreness tracked after each session using 7-point Likert scale. Standardized videos, adherence checklists, resistance bands provided. Both chronotype groups complete identical sessions, outcomes compared.
Medipol University
Istanbul, Beykoz/İstanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
Change in Sleep Quality Assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Sleep quality will be measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a validated 19-item self-report questionnaire that evaluates sleep patterns over the past month. The PSQI generates seven component scores (subjective sleep quality, latency, duration, efficiency, disturbances, use of medication, daytime dysfunction), which are summed into a global score ranging from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality. Assessments will be conducted at baseline (week 0), midpoint (week 4), and end of study (week 8). The primary endpoint is the change in global PSQI score from baseline to week 8, comparing differences between morning and evening chronotype groups following the resistance exercise program.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8; primary comparison is change from baseline to Week 8
Change in Circadian Alignment Assessed by Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ)
Chronotype and social jetlag will be evaluated using the MCTQ. The endpoint is change in chronotype alignment from baseline to week 8 and its relationship to exercise outcomes.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Change in Mood Assessed by Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS)
The Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) measures six mood states: anger, confusion, depression, fatigue, tension, and vigor. Higher scores reflect greater mood disturbance. Outcomes will track changes in mood from baseline to follow-up. It is a five-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 4 (extremely) according to their current feelings. The mood score is computed as the sum of all 24 items, with higher scores reflecting a greater intensity of that particular mood
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Perceived Effort Assessed by OMNI Perceived Exertion Scale for Resistance Exercise (OMNI-RES)
The OMNI-RES is a 0-10 rating scale used to assess perceived exertion during resistance training. Higher scores reflect greater perceived effort. Participants will rate their exertion after each exercise session.
Time frame: Throughout Weeks 1-8
Muscle Soreness Assessed by 7-Point Likert Scale
Participants will rate post-exercise soreness from 0 (no soreness) to 6 (severe soreness limiting movement) after each session to monitor tolerance.
Time frame: After each exercise session, Weeks 1-8
Change in Physical Activity Level Assessed by International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF)
The IPAQ-SF will measure weekly physical activity (MET-min/week and sedentary time). Outcomes include classification into low, moderate, or high activity.
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Change in Mood Assessed by Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21)
The DASS-21 is a 21-item questionnaire that evaluates symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Higher scores indicate more severe symptoms. Outcomes will capture changes in psychological well-being across the intervention period. it is using a 4-point (0-3) Likert-type scale (ranging from "did not apply to me at all" 0, to "applied to me very much or most of the time" 3). Higher scores indicate greater severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, with subscale scores ranging from 0 to 42 and total scores from 0 to 126.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
Change in Muscle Strength Assessed by One-Repetition Maximum (1RM)
Muscle strength will be measured using the one-repetition maximum (1RM) test for selected resistance exercises. The primary outcome is change in maximal strength over the intervention period.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8
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