Early Time-Restricted Eating in Young Judo Athletes

NCT07671443 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: ISSEP-2026-023
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study investigates the effects of a 5-month early time-restricted eating (e-TRE) intervention on body composition, muscle damage biomarkers, and psychological variables in highly trained young male judo athletes. One hundred participants were randomly assigned to either an e-TRE group or a control group. The e-TRE group followed a 16:8 fasting protocol (07:00-15:00 eating window) while maintaining their usual training program, whereas the control group maintained habitual dietary patterns. Outcomes included changes in body composition (BMI, body fat, skeletal muscle mass), muscle damage biomarkers (CK, LDH, ASAT, ALAT, uric acid, CRP, total bilirubin), and psychological measures (cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence assessed using CSAI-2). Measurements were taken at baseline and after the intervention period. The aim of the study is to determine whether e-TRE can improve physiological recovery and psychological readiness in combat sport athletes without negatively affecting performance-related variables.

Conditions

Nutrition, Healthy; Muscle Damage; Time Restricted Eating; Anxiety; Self Confidence

Keywords

Time Restricted Eating; Muscle Damage; Anxiety; Self Confidence; Martial Arts

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (8)

• Competitive Anxiety and Self-Confidence

  Competitive anxiety and self-confidence will be assessed using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2). This validated questionnaire measures three dimensions of pre-competition psychological state: cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence. Scores will be used to evaluate changes in athletes' psychological readiness, emotional response to competition, and perceived self-efficacy. The CSAI-2 consists of 27 items, divided into three subscales (9 items each). Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("not at all") to 4 ("very much so"). Subscale scores are calculated by summing item responses, resulting in a score range of 9 to 36 for each dimension (cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, and self-confidence). Measurements will be taken at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1) to determine the effect of early time-restricted eating on competitive anxiety and self-confidence in young judo athletes.

  Baseline and 5 months (pre-intervention and post-intervention)

• Creatine kinase (CK)

  Creatine kinase (CK) will be used as a marker of muscle damage. Blood samples will be collected to assess changes in CK levels in response to the early time-restricted eating intervention. CK concentrations will be measured in U/L and compared between baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1, 5 months) in judo athletes.

  Baseline and 5 months (pre-intervention and post-intervention)]

• Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)

  Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) will be used as a biomarker of muscle damage. LDH will be measured in U/L to assess changes induced by early time-restricted eating between baseline and post-intervention in judo athletes.

  Baseline and 5 months (pre-intervention and post-intervention)

• Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

  Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) will be measured as an indirect marker of muscle damage and metabolic stress. AST levels will be assessed in U/L to evaluate changes from baseline to post-intervention following early time-restricted eating in judo athletes.

  Baseline and 5 months (pre-intervention and post-intervention)

• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

  Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) will be assessed as a biomarker related to muscle stress. ALT levels will be measured in U/L to determine changes following early time-restricted eating between baseline and post-intervention in judo athletes.

  Baseline and 5 months (pre-intervention and post-intervention)

• Uric acid

  Uric acid will be measured as a metabolic and oxidative stress biomarker. Serum uric acid will be assessed in µmol/L to evaluate changes induced by early time-restricted eating in judo athletes.

  Baseline and 5 months (pre-intervention and post-intervention)

• C-reactive protein (CRP)

  C-reactive protein (CRP) will be used as a systemic inflammation biomarker. CRP levels will be measured in mg/L to assess inflammatory response changes following early time-restricted eating between baseline and post-intervention in judo athletes.

  Baseline and 5 months (pre-intervention and post-intervention)

• Total bilirubin

  Total bilirubin will be measured as a marker of oxidative stress and heme metabolism. Serum bilirubin levels will be assessed in µmol/L to evaluate changes induced by early time-restricted eating in judo athletes between baseline and post-intervention.

  Baseline and 5 months (pre-intervention and post-intervention)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Body Mass Index (BMI)

  Baseline and 5 months (pre-intervention and post-intervention)

• Body fat percentage

  Baseline and 5 months (pre-intervention and post-intervention)

• Skeletal muscle mass

  Baseline and 5 months (pre-intervention and post-intervention)

Study Arms (2)

Early Time-Restricted Eating (e-TRE) Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group followed a 16:8 early time-restricted eating protocol for 5 months. Participants maintained their usual training program throughout the intervention period.

Behavioral: Early Time-Restricted Eating (e-TRE)

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group maintained their habitual dietary practices. They continued their regular judo training program throughout the 5-month study period.

Interventions

Early Time-Restricted Eating (e-TRE) BEHAVIORAL

The intervention consisted of a 16:8 early time-restricted eating protocol applied for 5 months. Participants consumed all meals between 07:00 and 15:00, followed by a fasting period from 15:00 to 07:00 the next day. Only non-caloric beverages were allowed during fasting hours. Participants continued their regular judo training (5-6 sessions per week) without modifications. Dietary guidance was provided to support adherence to the eating schedule.

Early Time-Restricted Eating (e-TRE) Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years - 26 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Eligibility is not based on self-reported gender identity. Participants are selected based on biological sex (male) and competitive judo participation.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• aged 19-26 years;
• male judo players; c) with at least 3 years of judo training experience;
• engaged in judo training 5-6 days per week; e) healthy, with no known chronic illnesses or conditions affecting metabolism, mental health, or physical performance;
• willing to adhere to a 16:8 e-TRE protocol for the 5-month study period;
• non-smokers, as smoking may affect anxiety levels and cardiovascular health;
• not using any performance-enhancing drugs or supplements that could interfere with the study's measurements.

You may not qualify if:

• current musculoskeletal injuries or conditions that could limit participation in training or affect muscle damage biomarkers;
• diagnosed psychiatric disorders or current treatment for anxiety or mood disorders, as these could interfere with psychological assessments;
• use of medications affecting metabolism, muscle recovery, or psychological state (e.g., corticosteroids, antidepressants);
• prior experience with time-restricted eating or intermittent fasting within the past year, as prior adaptation could impact study outcomes;
• dietary restrictions or practices (e.g., vegan or keto diet) that could affect nutrient intake or metabolic markers;
• diagnosed sleep disorders or irregular sleep patterns, as sleep quality could impact both muscle recovery and psychological parameters;
• inability to commit to the structured training program over the study period.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Manouba: lead
• University of Salento: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Manouba (ISSEP Manouba)

Manouba, Manouba, 2009, Tunisia

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Intermittent Fasting; Anxiety Disorders

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Fasting; Feeding Behavior; Behavior; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: researcher

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either an early time-restricted eating (e-TRE) group or a control group. The study followed a parallel design, with both groups participating simultaneously over a 5-month intervention period. The e-TRE group followed a 16:8 time-restricted eating protocol, while the control group maintained their habitual dietary practices.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 19, 2026
• First Posted: June 26, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion: January 20, 2026
• Study Completion: June 6, 2026
• Last Updated: June 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)