0172 Canadian varsity athletes’ sleep and mental health: preliminary analyses

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Because of their double reality of university student and athlete, varsity athletes are particularly at risk of having sleep difficulties, but also depression and anxiety symptoms. To this day, there is almost no data available characterizing the sleep of Canadian varsity student-athletes, while these athletes must often combine their studies and sports practice with a job to support themselves. As part of a larger study, the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between sleep and well-being in young Canadian varsity athletes at the beginning of their sports season. Methods A team of 16 Canadian varsity basketball players that will undergo a sleep management program completed a modified version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Index Quality (PSQI), the insomnia severity index (ISI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) before the intervention at the start of the season. The relationships between scores on each well-being questionnaire and scores on the sleep questionnaires were investigated using Pearson product moment correlations. Results Total GAD-7 scores were significantly associated with PSQI scores (r=.666, p=.005) and ISI scores (r=.755, p<.001). Total PHQ-9 scores were significantly associated with PSQI scores (r=.844, p<.001) and ISI scores (r=.855, p<.001). Total ABQ scores were significantly associated with PSQI scores (r=.592, p=.016). There was no other significant correlation found. Conclusion These preliminary results suggest that sleep disturbances, such as insomnia symptoms and poor sleep quality are closely associated with anxiety, depression, and athlete burnout symptoms in varsity athletes. Future analyses of this study will allow us to verify whether participation in a program aimed at improving sleep can have an impact on their mental health, as well as on other aspects related to the practice of their sport. Support (if any)