Abstract
The aim of this study was twofold: it (i) analyzed the weekly variations of sleep quality and training intensity of youth soccer players and (ii) analyzed the relationships between sleep quality and training intensity. This study followed an observational design. Twenty men youth players (age: 18.81 ± 0.41 years) were monitored daily over two weeks for sleep quality and training intensity. Sleep quality was measured daily using the 15-item consensus sleep diary. The training intensity was measured daily using the CR-10 Borg’s scale as a measure of rate of perceived exertion (RPE); a heart rate (HR) sensor was used to measure minimum, average and peak; a global positioning system (GPS) was used for measuring the total distance covered and distances covered at different speed thresholds. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the weekly variations of sleep quality and training intensity. The Pearson correlation test was executed to analyze the relationships between sleep quality and training intensity. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant within-week variations in sleep duration (hours) (p = 0.043), quality of sleep (p = 0.035), RPE (p = 0.007), session-RPE (p = 0.011), HRminimum (p = 0.027), HRpeak (p = 0.005), total distance (p < 0.001), pace (p < 0.002), distance covered at 3.00–6.99 km/h (p < 0.001), distance covered at 7.00–10.99 km/h (p < 0.001), distance covered at 11.00–14.99 km/h (p < 0.001), distance covered at 15.00–18.99 km/h (p < 0.001) and distance covered at >19.00 km/h (p < 0.001). Significant small correlations were found between sleep duration before training and session-RPE (r = 0.252), total distance (r = 0.205), distance covered at 3.00–6.99 km/h (r = 0.209) and distance covered at 7.00–10.99 km/h (r = 0.265). Significant small correlations were found between session-RPE and sleep duration after (r = 0.233), total distance and quality of sleep after (r = 0.198), distance at 3.00–6.99 km/h and quality of sleep after training (r = 0.220), distance covered at >19.00 km/h and quality of sleep after training (r = 0.286), session duration and rested feeling after training (r = 0.227), total distance and rested feeling after training (r = 0.202), distance covered at 11.00–14.99 km/h and rested feeling after training (r = 0.222) and distance covered at >19.00 km/h and rested feeling after training (r = 0.214). In conclusion, sleep duration was longer in the training sessions during the middle of the week; the training intensity was also greater (485.8 ± 56.8 A.U.). Moreover, sleep outcomes after training were slightly correlated with both physiological and locomotor demands.
Highlights
The importance of sleep as a recovery strategy is well-known and recognized by coaches and athletes [1]
Repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant within-week variations in sleep duration (p = 0.043; η2p = 0.148), quality of sleep (p = 0.035; η2p = 0.139), rate of perceived exertion (RPE) (p = 0.007; η2p = 0.306), session-RPE (p = 0.011; η2p = 0.309), HRmin (p = 0.027; η2p = 0.187), HRpeak (p = 0.005; η2p = 0.369), total distance (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.542), pace (p < 0.002; η2p = 0.410), distance covered at zone 1 (Z1) (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.511), distance covered at zone 2 (Z2) (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.490), distance covered at zone 3 (Z3) (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.606), distance covered at zone 4 (Z4) (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.552) and distance covered at zone 5 (Z5) (p < 0.001; η2p = 0.537)
match days (MD): match day; MD-6: six days before match day); MD-5: five days before match day; MD-4: four days before match day; MD-3: three days before match day; MD-2: two days before match day; MD-1: one day before match day; RPE: rate of perceived exertion using the CR-10 Borg’s scale; Session-RPE: multiplication of session duration by the score of RPE; HR: heart rate; bpm: beats per minute; A.U.: arbitrary units; m: meters; min: minutes; km/h: kilometers per hour; Z1: distance covered at 3.00–6.99 km/h; Z2: distance covered at 7.00–10.99 km/h; Z3: distance covered at 11.00–14.99 km/h; Z4: distance covered at 15.00–18.99 km/h; Z5: distance covered at >19.00 km/h; significant differences at MD a; MD-2 b; MD-3 c; MD-4 d; MD-5 e; at p < 0.05
Summary
The importance of sleep as a recovery strategy is well-known and recognized by coaches and athletes [1]. Considering previous findings, sleep duration and sleep quality play a determinant role in the optimization of sports performance [2], recovery process [3], and maintenance of the quality of life and health in athletes [4]. Ensuring proper patterns of sleep can positively impact performance, while sleep disturbance can be harmful for performance and for the health of players [5]. In the particular case of soccer players, different situations and conditions may influence the quality and duration of sleep (e.g., timing of competition, travel, sleep routines, changes in training environment) [7–9]. Other factors related to sleep hygiene, such as exposure to light [13], or the ingestion of caffeine [14], or alcohol [15], can play an important role in how and how much players sleep
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