Improvements in specific measures of basketball performance after sleep extension indicate that optimal sleep is likely beneficial in reaching peak athletic performance.
IntroductionExisting sleep questionnaires to assess sleep behaviors may not be sensitive
in determining the unique sleep challenges faced by elite athletes. The
purpose of the current study was to develop and validate the Athlete Sleep
Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ) to be used as a practical tool for support
staff working with elite athletes.Methods564 participants (242 athletes, 322 non-athletes) completed the 18-item ASBQ
and three previously validated questionnaires; the Sleep Hygiene Index
(SHI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality
Index (PSQI). A cohort of the studied population performed the ASBQ twice in
one week to assess test-retest reliability, and also performed sleep
monitoring via wrist-actigraphy.ResultsComparison of the ASBQ with existing sleep questionnaires resulted in
moderate to large correlations
(r=0.32 - 0.69). There was a significant difference
between athletes and non-athletes for the ASBQ global score (44±6
vs. 41±6, respectively,
p<0.01) and for the PSQI, but not for the SHI or the
ESS. The reliability of the ASBQ was acceptable (ICC=0.87) when re-tested
within 7 days. There was a moderate relationship between
ASBQ and total sleep time (r=-0.42).ConclusionThe ASBQ is a valid and reliable tool that can differentiate the sleep
practices between athletes and non-athletes, and offers a practical
instrument for practitioners and/or researchers wanting to evaluate the
sleep behaviors of elite athletes. The ASBQ may provide information on areas
where improvements to individual athletes’ sleep habits could be made.
Sleep and circadian physiology have profound effects on human function including the performance of elite athletes. Professional football players playing close to the circadian peak in performance demonstrate a significant athletic advantage over those who are playing at other times. Application of this knowledge is likely to enhance human performance.
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