Sleep quantity and quality in elite youth soccer players: A pilot study

Abstract

This study examined the effect of early evening high-intensity training on the sleep of elite male youth soccer players (n = 12) using wrist actigraphy. High-intensity training (TRAIN) nights were compared with a home environment (HOME) condition, created by averaging sleep variables on the night before and after TRAIN nights. Additionally, after TRAIN athletes alternately used cold water immersion (TRAIN+CWI) or none, to assess whether cold water immersion (CWI) had any impact on sleep quality and quantity. Ratings of perceived exertion, fatigue and recovery were recorded after training. Actigraphy sleep measures were bedtime, wake time, sleep duration, sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency and wake after sleep onset. Self-rated scores of sleepiness at bedtime and wake, plus overall sleep quality were also recorded. Only fatigue ratings were higher in TRAIN compared to TRAIN+CWI at bedtime, there were no other differences in training data. Both TRAIN and TRAIN+CWI conditions had significant later (07:45 ± 1:09 h p < 0.01 and 07:34 ± 1:20 h p = 0.01) wake times than HOME (06:44 ± 0:41 h). The TRAIN condition had a significantly higher (7 ± 2; p < 0.01) rating of sleepiness at bedtime compared to HOME (6 ± 1), but no further differences were found in any of the sleep (actigraphy and self-reported) measures. Across all conditions, time spent asleep was ∼7:30 (±0:52) h:min and sleep efficiency was ∼89% (±6.1). In conclusion, early evening high-intensity training had no impact on subsequent sleep quality and quantity, nor was there any effect on sleep after performing CWI post-training.

Effects of sports training on sleep characteristics of Asian adolescent athletes

“…While the PDSS scores were not significantly different statistically, a large effect size of 1.25 suggests a meaningful difference, with HI athletes reporting greater sleepiness levels. Despite the lack of significant difference in KSS scores between the groups, the HI athletes were more likely to report values of 6 ('some signs of sleepiness') or higher at 21:00 h. This finding agrees with those of Robey et al (2013), where elite youth soccer players showed greater sleepiness close to bedtimes on days with vigorous training. Conversely, Kalak et al Downloaded by [134.117.10.200] at 23:00 15 March 2015 (2012) reported gradual reductions in daytime sleepiness, and increases in concentration and psychological functioning, over the course of a 3-week daily running intervention in healthy adolescents who had participated in vigorous exercise only modestly prior to the study.…”

Stress, Sleep and Recovery in Elite Soccer: A Critical Review of the Literature

“…It has been shown that athletes go to bed later and wake later (p B 0.01) after high-intensity exercise at night than after lower intensity/ non-training nights when the next day is a rest day [39]. Some evidence also suggests that sleep volume and quality are restricted by early training start times [31].…”

“…Robey et al [39] examined the effect of early evening high-intensity training on the sleep of elite male youth soccer players. Main results showed that sleep parameters (sleep duration, sleep-onset latency [time taken to fall asleep], sleep efficiency [indirect measure of sleep quality], wake time after sleep onset, bedtime, sleepiness on waking, self-reported sleep quality) were not affected after performing early evening (4:30-6:30 p.m.) high-intensity repeated sprint training sessions compared with nights where no evening training was performed.…”

Sleep Hygiene and Recovery Strategies in Elite Soccer Players

“…If performed close to bedtime, cold water immersion-induced changes in core temperature could potentially affect sleep by accelerating the normal pre-sleep rate of decline of core temperature and improve sleep propensity [113]. Several studies have been conducted to assess the effect of cold water immersion after exercise on subsequent sleep quantity and quality [114][115][116]. Al Haddad et al [114] have shown a positive effect of daily cold (5 min at 15°C) water immersion throughout 5 consecutive training days on rating of perceived sleep quality in swimmers, but positive effects on objective sleep measures are lacking [115,116].…”

“…Several studies have been conducted to assess the effect of cold water immersion after exercise on subsequent sleep quantity and quality [114][115][116]. Al Haddad et al [114] have shown a positive effect of daily cold (5 min at 15°C) water immersion throughout 5 consecutive training days on rating of perceived sleep quality in swimmers, but positive effects on objective sleep measures are lacking [115,116]. Conversely, Halson et al [117] compared the effects of cold water immersion (four sessions per week; 15 min at &15°C) and passive rest during a 39-day intensified cycling training period and demonstrated that, after 1 week of taper following the intensified training period, cold water immersion had a possibly harmful effect (2 min) on total sleep time and a moderately harmful effect (5 min) on sleep latency compared with control.…”