P087 Exploring Associations between, and Temporal Changes in, the Sleep, Psychological Affect, and Exercise Performance of Elite Cyclists during a period containing the Tour de France

Abstract

Abstract The effects of partial sleep restriction and minimal sleep impediment on endurance exercise performance remain incompletely understood. Moreover, the suggested role of psychological factors in the relationship, or lack thereof, between sleep and endurance performance is yet to be rigorously investigated in naturalistic settings. This study investigates the relationships between sleep, psychological affect, and exercise performance in elite cyclists during the Tour de France (TDF). Data from eight male professional cyclists were collected over a 6-week period, including the 3-week TDF. Sleep, exercise performance, and affect (e.g., motivation) data were collected through smartwatches, bicycle-based instruments, and smartphone-administered questionnaires. Relationships between, and temporal changes in, sleep, affect, and performance metrics were explored through correlation and ANOVA analyses. Participants were ~30±4 years old. Over the 6-weeks, average sleep duration was 08:11±00:58, with mean sleep onset and wakeup times of 23:46±00:44 and 07:57±00:52, respectively. Wakeup time (r = -0.40) and sleep quality (r = -0.32) were negatively associated with Performance Index. Compared to pre-race, sleep onset and wakeup time were delayed, sleep duration increased, and sleep quality and subjective mood declined, during the race (00:26±00:14[95%CI]; 00:48±00:16; 00:22±00:20; -6.4±5.2, -9.5%; -5.7±4.4, -9.1%, respectively). All p <.05. Findings suggest temporal change in, and inter-relationships between, sleep, affect, and performance during real-world endurance competition. Increased psychophysiological strain and event-related factors (e.g., travel) likely explain the greater sleep duration, delayed sleep timing, and reduced sleep quality observed during the race. Further research into the temporal interplay between sleep, psychological affect, and performance during real-world competition is necessary.