This study aimed to examine the Sleep parameters and Sleep/wake regularity of a cohort of student-athletes who start training between 06:30 and 07:00. Twenty-one male Rugby Union players, aged 21��������2���years and competing at a national level, were assessed using actigraphy over two weeks, and the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ). Sleep/wake regularity was calculated using the Sleep Regularity Index (SRI). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed that nocturnal Sleep preceding morning training had a significantly shorter Sleep duration (1.8���hr, ���=���.67), and advanced Sleep onset (0.9���hr, ���=���.50) and Sleep offset times (3.2���hr, ���=���.85) compared to nocturnal Sleep preceding free days. The variability of training demands resulted in an inconsistent Sleep pattern between consecutive days, resulting in a median SRI score of 67.0 (interquartile range: 17.0). Pearson correlations revealed that lower SRI was significantly associated with a higher daily Sleep duration including naps (���=���-.62), delayed Sleep onset (���=���-.50) and Sleep offset (���=���-.60), and a later chronotype assessed using the ASSQ (���=���.52). These findings indicate that early morning training is a factor contributing to irregular Sleep/wake patterns in student-athletes, and where feasible should be scheduled at an alternative time.
