The effect of an acute sleep hygiene strategy following a late-night soccer match on recovery of players

ABSTRACT

Elite soccer players are at risk of reduced recovery following periods of sleep disruption, particularly following late-night matches. It remains unknown whether improving sleep quality or quantity in such scenarios can improve post-match recovery. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an acute sleep hygiene strategy (SHS) on physical and perceptual recovery of players following a late-night soccer match. In a randomised cross-over design, two highly-trained amateur teams (20 players) played two late-night (20:45) friendly matches against each other seven days apart. Players completed an SHS after the match or proceeded with their normal post-game routine (NSHS). Over the ensuing 48 h, objective sleep parameters (sleep duration, onset latency, efficiency, wake episodes), countermovement jump (CMJ; height, force production), YoYo Intermittent Recovery test (YYIR2; distance, maximum heart rate, lactate), venous blood (creatine kinase, urea and c-reactive protein) and perceived recovery and stress markers were collected. Sleep duration was significantly greater in SHS compared to NSHS on match night (P = 0.002, d = 1.50), with NSHS significantly less than baseline (P < 0.001, d = 1.95). Significant greater wake episodes occurred on match night for SHS (P = 0.04, d = 1.01), without significant differences between- or within-conditions for sleep onset latency (P = 0.12), efficiency (P = 0.39) or wake episode duration (P = 0.07). No significant differences were observed between conditions for any physical performance or venous blood marker (all P > 0.05); although maximum heart rate during the YYIR2 was significantly higher in NSHS than SHS at 36 h post-match (P = 0.01; d = 0.81). There were no significant differences between conditions for perceptual “overall recovery” (P = 0.47) or “overall stress” (P = 0.17). Overall, an acute SHS improved sleep quantity following a late-night soccer match; albeit without any improvement in physical performance, perceptual recovery or blood-borne markers of muscle damage and inflammation.

KEYWORDS:

• Exercise
• football
• regeneration
• sleep quality
• team sports

Acknowledgements

The authors would also like to extend their gratitude to all players and staff from both participating teams, the Saarland Football Federation and local Olympic Training Centre, the University of Canberra (UC-RISE) for the lending of equipment and finally to all undergraduate and post-graduate students who assisted with data collection.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Funding

H. Fullagar is supported by a scholarship funded by the German Academic Exchange Centre (DAAD). Funding for the study was provided by a FIFA João Havelange Scholarship^©.

Additional information

Funding

H. Fullagar is supported by a scholarship funded by the German Academic Exchange Centre (DAAD). Funding for the study was provided by a FIFA João Havelange Scholarship^©.