Sleep duration is reduced in elite athletes following night-time competition

ABSTRACT

This study examined the impact of competition on the sleep/wake behaviour of elite athletes. The sleep/wake behaviour of Australian Rules Football players was assessed with wrist activity monitors on the night immediately before, and the night immediately after, a day game and an evening game. The time of day that a game occurred had a marked influence on sleep/wake behaviour later that night. After the evening game, sleep onset was later, time in bed was shorter and total sleep obtained was less than after the day game. It is yet to be determined whether a reduction in sleep after evening games impairs recovery.

KEYWORDS:

• Actigraphy
• competition
• sleep duration
• elite athletes
• football
• recovery
• time of day

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the athletes and coaching staff for their time and commitment during this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article. They are thankful for the financial support for this paper that was received from the Australian Research Council. This article was presented at the 22nd International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time, 8–12th June 2015, Elsinore, Copenhagen.