Abstract
Objectives: This study sought to determine the quality of sleep using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the presence of sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the association between sleep quality and sleepiness in basketball players in Bermuda. Methods: Once ethical approval was granted, players were recruited from the Bermuda Basketball Association League. All participants completed the PSQI and the ESS questionnaires based on their recollection of events as they occurred over the previous 30 days. Their responses were analysed using the IBM SPSS version 19 for Windows. Results: A total of 71 subjects, mean age 24.96 ± 3.19 years, participated in this study. The mean PSQI score was 7.8 ± 4.7 (scores of 5 or more indicate poor sleep quality). Thirty percent of players rated their sleep quality as fairly bad to very bad. The mean sleepiness score was 7.35 ± 4.17 and over 60% of persons surveyed had more than normal levels of sleepiness. There was a significant correlation between sleep quality and sleepiness; 0.61 (p < 0.01), as well as a correlation between age and Global PSQI which had a score of 0.31 (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Basketball players in Bermuda are experiencing less than optimal sleep. Insomnia was among the most popular self-reported cause of sleep disturbances. Further research is required in this population, exploring causal factors for poor sleep quality. Key words: Athletes, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Sleep Quality.
Highlights
Optimal athletic performance is the primary goal that drives the sporting fraternity
1.4% was classified as having severe excessive daytime sleepiness (Figure 1)
This study aimed to identify the quality of sleep and level of daytime sleepiness present in basketball players in Bermuda using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)
Summary
Optimal athletic performance is the primary goal that drives the sporting fraternity. Sleep has been shown to be arguably one of the best forms of recovery available to athletes and plays an important role in the adaptation of training stimulus; with resultant improvements in skill acquisition, physical performance and mood variables[2,3,4]. A review of sleep quality in elite athletes has reported a high overall prevalence of insomnia symptoms as reflected by longer sleep latencies, greater sleep fragmentation, nonrestorative sleep, and excessive daytime fatigue[11]. Mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores between 5 and 6 (scores > 5 indicate poor sleep quality) were reported in five studies conducted in athletes involved in team and individual sports[11]. It has been reported that athletes may require more sleep than non-active individuals to allow for adequate recovery and adaptation between bouts of exercise, roughly 9 to 10 hours per day[12]. There are currently no specific guidelines regarding sleep duration or quality for athletes
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