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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Sleep Sci 2021; 14(S 01): 1-7
DOI: 10.5935/1984-0063.20200044
ORIGINAL ARTICLES

Self-reported current sleep behaviors of adult athletes from different competitive levels and sports

Rebecca K Randell
1   Life Sciences, Gatorade Sports Science Institute - PepsiCo Inc. - Leicester - United Kingdom.
2   Loughborough University, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences -Loughborough - Leicestershire - United Kingdom.
,
Rosie Anderson
2   Loughborough University, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences -Loughborough - Leicestershire - United Kingdom.
,
James M Carter
1   Life Sciences, Gatorade Sports Science Institute - PepsiCo Inc. - Leicester - United Kingdom.
,
Ian Rollo
1   Life Sciences, Gatorade Sports Science Institute - PepsiCo Inc. - Leicester - United Kingdom.
2   Loughborough University, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences -Loughborough - Leicestershire - United Kingdom.
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ABSTRACT

Objectives: To quantify self-reported current sleep behaviors in a range of adult athletes. In addition, to determine any differences in sleep duration and sleep quality, depending on sport type and competitive level.

Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 313 athletes (243 male, 70 female), competing in a variety of sports and competitive level, completed the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and a questionnaire which captured current sleep behaviors. Sleep quality was calculated using the global PSQI score (≥ 5 indicative of poor sleep quality).

Results: On average, athletes self-reported sleep duration was 7:34 ± 1:00 h:min. Overall, 19% of athletes achieved less than 7 h of sleep, 50% achieved less than 8 h. Global PSQI score was 5.0 ± 2.4, with poor sleep quality found in 55% of athletes. Sleep duration was significantly shorter in runners compared to basketball, soccer and rugby players (p < 0.05). Recreational athletes slept significantly less (7:08 ± 0:54 h:min) than competitive (7:32 ± 1:00 h:min), national (7:50 ± 1:00 h:min) and elite level athletes (7:49 ± 0:51 h:min). No differences in sleep quality were found between sport or competitive level.

Discussion: Half of the athletes failed to achieve 8 h of sleep per night and the majority reported compromised sleep quality. Sport type and competitive level may influence sleep duration; however, these factors do not seem to cause discrepancies in sleep quality. This study provides novel data into the sleep behaviors of adult athletes, and suggests strategies to improve sleep duration and quality may be warranted.

Keywords:

Sleep Behaviors - Sleep Quality - Team Sports - Individual Sports - Adult Athletes

DISCLAIMER

RR, JC and IR are employees of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute, a division of PepsiCo, Incorporated. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of PepsiCo, Incorporated.




Publication History

Received: 21 May 2020

Accepted: 10 August 2020

Article published online:
30 November 2023

© 2023. Brazilian Sleep Association. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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