Are elite track and field athletes on track? The impact of COVID-19 outbreak on sleep behavior and training characteristics

Abstract

The Covid-19 outbreak forced many governments to enter a nationwide lockdown. The aim of this study was to evaluate, by means of a survey, changes in sleep parameters and physical activity characteristics of elite track and field athletes in three periods: before the lockdown (T0), during the lockdown (09th March – 03rd May 2020, T1) and the first month after the lockdown (T2). This study was conducted from May 2020 to June 2020 and data were collected using an offline survey with 89 elite track and field athletes (mean age: 24.7 ± 5.4; n = 43 males; n = 46 females). The survey consisted of demographic data and questions on physical activity and sleep behavior at T0, T1 and T2. Athletes reported lower sleep quality scores at T1 compared to T0 and T2 (p < 0.0001) and registered delayed bedtime, wake-up time and longer sleep latency during the lockdown compared to pre-lockdown and post-lockdown whereas no changes in total sleep time were reported. No inter-group differences were detected in sleep characteristics between short- and long-term disciplines and between genders. The weekly training volume decreased from 16.1 ± 5.7 hours at T0 to 10.7 ± 5.7 hours at T1 (p < 0.0001) whereas no significant differences were detected in training volume during the lockdown in relation to the square footage of the house (p = 0.309). Alcohol (p = 0.136) and caffeine intake (p = 0.990) and use of electronic devices (p = 0.317) were similar pre-, during, and post-lockdown. The unprecedented circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic had negative impacts on the Italian track and field athletes’ sleep and training volumes.

Lockdown Duration and Training Intensity Affect Sleep Behavior in an International Sample of 1,454 Elite Athletes

“…This increased sedentary behaviors, altered nutritional behaviors and reduced motivation ( Pillay et al, 2020 ; Romdhani et al, 2022 ). Lifestyle factors, including social interaction, sleep patterns, physical activity and mental health were also affected in this population ( Pillay et al, 2020 ; Romdhani et al, 2022 ; Facer-Childs et al, 2021 ; Vitale et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Thus, an improvement in elite athletes’ sleep quality during-lockdown was expected. However, the myriad lockdown-mediated disruptions ( Pillay et al, 2020 ; Romdhani et al, 2022 ; Facer-Childs et al, 2021 ; Vitale et al, 2021 ) negatively affected elite athletes’ sleep and circadian rhythms more severely than that seen in the general population and non-elite athletes ( Romdhani et al, 2022 ).…”

Ramadan Observance Exacerbated the Negative Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown on Sleep and Training Behaviors: A International Survey on 1,681 Muslim Athletes

“…The COVID-19 induced lockdown was a major challenge to athletes' circadian rhythms including their sleep, eating and training behaviors (1)(2)(3)(4). Training loads were lower duringlockdown, with concomitant changes in training modalities, due to social distancing, curfew, stay-at-home or quarantine regulations (5).…”

The Impact of a 14-Day Altitude Training Camp on Olympic-Level Open-Water Swimmers’ Sleep

“…Further, sex differences in sleep exist, with women reporting more problems in falling asleep or staying asleep than men, whereas male individuals tend to register more obstructive sleep disorders (e.g., sleep apnea) than female subjects [ 5 ]. Despite women reporting more sleep problems than men in the general population [ 6 ], in sport settings, male athletes are more-evening oriented than female athletes (who in turn show a larger number of morning types) and have a lower percentage of sleep efficiency and slow-wave sleep than women [ 7 , 8 ]. Sleep disturbances in athletes may be explained by the fact that they are constantly exposed to many stressors that impair sleep, such as high training loads and high-intensity training sessions, early morning training and/or late evening competition, long-haul travel, and high levels of anxiety and stress [ 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”