The relationship between sleep, perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns, and academic and sports performance in young athletes

ABSTRACT

Perfectionism is associated with sleep as well as with academic and sports performance. Given the importance of sleep for performance and the sleep changes that occur during adolescence, the present study aimed to explore the relationship between sleep, two dimensions of perfectionism (perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns), with academic and sports performance in young athletes. The occurrence of perfectionistic strivings was identified as a tendency to set high personal standards for oneself, while the occurrence of perfectionistic concerns was identified as a tendency to feel pressure to be perfect and have concerns about imperfections. A total of 32 athletes aged 13 to 16 years old participated in this study. Perfectionism, sleep, and course grades were measured at the end of the school year. Sleep was measured by actigraphy, and sports performance improvement was obtained by comparing individual performance at the beginning and the end of the school year. The moderating effect of both dimensions of perfectionism on the relationships between sleep and academic and sports performance improvement was measured. First, results showed no significant relationship between sleep and academic/sports performance. Further analyses revealed that perfectionistic strivings moderated the relationship between certain aspects of sleep with academic and sports performance improvement. Delayed and suboptimal sleep habits were associated with lower academic and sports performance improvement when low levels of perfectionistic strivings were present. Results with perfectionistic concerns showed that this dimension did not moderate the relationship between sleep and academic and sports performance improvement. This study supports the notion that high levels of perfectionistic strivings in young athletes may mitigate the adverse effects of poor sleep habits in young athletes.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescents
• perfectionistic concerns
• perfectionistic strivings
• social jetlag
• sport
• sleep habits

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank everyone who participated in the study.

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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.