Soccer, Sleep, Repeat: Effects of Training Characteristics on Sleep Quantity and Sleep Architecture

Abstract

Due to the high demands of competitive sports, the sleep architecture of adolescent athletes may be influenced by their regular training. To date, there is no clear evidence on how training characteristics (intensity, time of day, number of sessions) influence sleep quality and quantity. 53 male soccer players (M = 14.36 years, SD = 0.55) of Austrian U15 (n = 45) and U16 elite teams (n = 8) were tested on at least three consecutive days following their habitual training schedules. Participants completed daily sleep protocols (7 a.m., 8 p.m.) and questionnaires assessing sleep quality (PSQI), chronotype (D-MEQ), competition anxiety (WAI-T), and stress/recovery (RESTQ). Electrocardiography (ECG) and actigraphy devices measured sleep. Using sleep protocols and an ECG-based multi-resolution convolutional neural network (MCNN), we found that higher training intensity leads to more wake time, that later training causes longer sleep duration, and that one training session per day was most advantageous for sleep quality. In addition, somatic complaints assessed by the WAI-T negatively affected adolescent athletes’ sleep. Individual training loads and longer recovery times after late training sessions during the day should be considered in training schedules, especially for adolescent athletes. MCNN modeling based on ECG data seems promising for efficient sleep analysis in athletes.

Interval training has more negative effects on sleep in adolescent speed skaters: a randomized cross controlled trial

“…Relative maximum power, relative average power, and heart rate were recorded during each type of exercise, fingertip blood was collected at the immediate end of exercise for blood lactate concentration analysis using an EKF portable blood lactate meter (EKF Lacate-Scout, EKF, Germany) and subjects were asked about their level of fatigue by Borg (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale.…”

“…Studies have found that prolonged high-intensity training and excessive sports competition may disrupt the athletes' circadian rhythm, making it difficult for them to fall asleep at night and causing daytime fatigue ( 14 – 16 ). Especially on the night before a competition, athletes may face emotions such as tension and excitement, increasing the risk of insomnia ( 17 – 19 ). Additionally, athletes may be affected in their ability to fall asleep and sleep quality due to issues such as bodily pain and muscle soreness during the training process, consequently affecting their training and competitive performance ( 18 , 20 ).…”

Aerobic training as an approach to increasing VO2max in amateur football athletes

“…Aerobic exercise alone may not effectively increase participants' anaerobic capacity, which is also crucial for football. Therefore, problems may arise if the exercise programme does not include appropriate anaerobic exercises (Frytz et al, 2023). Innovations in aerobic training to increase VO2max in amateur football athletes can achieve better and more efficient results by combining interval training with movements similar to football games, such as short sprints or sudden accelerations.…”