PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to quantify self-reported current sleep habits in a range of athletes, and to compare these with self-reported ideal sleep habits. In addition, to determine any differences in sleep duration and sleep quality, depending on the sport type and competitive level.
METHODS: 313 athletes (243 males, 70 females; age 27 ± 8 y), competing in a variety of sports and competitive levels (recreational to elite), completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and a questionnaire which assessed current and ideal sleep habits. Sleep quality was calculated using the PSQI global score, with a score of ≥ 5 indicative of poor sleep quality. A paired t-test was used to compare current and ideal sleep duration. A one-way ANOVA test was performed to determine differences in sleep duration and quality between sports (sports with N≥ 20) and competitive level.
RESULTS: Mean sleep duration was 7 h 34 min ± 1 h (range 4 h - 11 h), with 19% of athletes achieving < 7 hours of sleep, and 50% achieving < 8 hours. The average global PSQI score was 5.0 ± 2.4, with 55% of athletes having poor sleep quality. Mean ideal sleep duration was 9 h 26 min ± 58 min, which was significantly more than current sleep duration (p< 0.001, 95% CI (-2.0, -1.7 h). Sleep duration differed between sport types, with runners sleeping significantly less than basketball, soccer and rugby players (p< 0.05). Furthermore, recreational athletes slept significantly less (7 h 08 min ± 54 min) than competitive (7 h 32 min ± 1 h), national (7 h 50 min ± 1 h) and elite level athletes (7 h 49 min ± 51 min). At all competitive levels and sport types, ideal sleep duration was significantly greater than current sleep duration (p< 0.001). No differences in sleep quality were found between athletes competing at different levels or sport.
CONCLUSIONS: Half of the athletes failed to achieve 8 hours of sleep per night. Runners appear to sleep less than team sports athletes. Recreational athletes sleep less than athletes who compete at higher levels however, sleep quality does not seem to be compromised. Regardless of competitive level and sport type all athletes reported a higher ideal sleep duration compared to current duration.