Assessment of the association between sleep disturbance and physical performance in adolescent girls

ABSTRACT

The relationship of sleep parameters and physical performances was assessed in young female handball players. Under 14 (13.44 ± 0.5 years), and under 17 (16.0 ± 0.8 years). Sleep patterns were evaluated using: Sleep quality (PSQI), insomnia (ISI) and sleepiness (ESS), questionnaires. Stork balance tests with open-eyes (OEB) and closed-eyes (CEB) were assessed. Squat-jump (SJ), standing broad jump (SBJ), five jump (FJT) and T-agility tests were determined. A positive correlation was found in U14 between the PSQI and ESS with agility time (r = 0.43 and 0.34, respectively), while a negative correlation was found between ISI and both: OEB (r = -0.48), and CEB (r = -0.38). For the U17, a negative correlation was found between ESS and CEB (r = -0.33). Results suggest that the quality of sleep related with age should be taken into consideration because it may affect balance and agility in young female handball players.

KEYWORDS:

• Sleep
• Health
• Adolescents
• Athletes
• Physical exercise

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the players who voluntarily participated in this study. They also thank the staff and coaches for their help in collecting the data in appropriate conditions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Author contributions

All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Ethical consideration

The study was approved by the Manouba University Institutional Review Committee for the ethical use of human participants. Written informed consent to participate in this study was provided by the participants’ legal guardian.

Additional information

Funding

The authors declared that the research did not receive any financial grants.