Sleep Dysfunction and Mood in Collegiate Soccer Athletes

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Sleep Science
• Psychology

Background:

• Sleep and mood are vital for overall health, especially for collegiate athletes facing demanding schedules.
• Understanding factors influencing sleep quality in athletes is crucial for their well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between psychological measures, player status, and sex on perceived sleep quality in collegiate athletes.
• To examine how psychological factors relate to sleep dysfunction and mood states in athletes.

Main Methods:

• A prospective cohort study involving 230 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) soccer athletes over two seasons (2016-2018).
• Utilized the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Profile of Mood States, and Sports Anxiety Scale-2 questionnaires administered at six time points each season.

Main Results:

• Over half (54%) of observations indicated global sleep dysfunction (PSQI score ≥5).
• Increased sleep dysfunction correlated with decreased vigor and increased tension, depression, anger, fatigue, somatic anxiety, worry, and concentration disruption.
• Female athletes had significantly higher odds of reporting global sleep dysfunction compared to male athletes (OR, 0.45; P=0.006).

Conclusions:

• Global sleep dysfunction is prevalent among NCAA soccer players, negatively impacting mental health.
• Female athletes experience a greater likelihood of sleep dysfunction, highlighting a potential sex-based disparity.
• Regular monitoring of sleep and mental health is essential for a comprehensive understanding of athlete well-being.