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Does overreaching from endurance-based training impair sleep: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Conor Murphy1, Steinunn Anna Svansdottir1, Olivier Dupuy2
1Physical Activity, Physical Education, Sport and Health Research Centre (PAPESH), Sports Science Department, School of Social Sciences, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Plos One
|May 29, 2024
Summary
Overreaching in endurance training significantly reduces objective sleep efficiency, but does not impact subjective sleep quality perception. More high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings on athlete sleep.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Sleep Research
Background:
- Overreaching is a known stressor in endurance training.
- Existing literature lacks a comprehensive review on overreaching's impact on sleep quality.
- This study addresses the need to synthesize and quantify the effects of overreaching on sleep.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the existing literature.
- To quantify the effect of overreaching from endurance-based training on objective and subjective sleep quality.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines.
- Searched four electronic databases in May 2023.
- Included 14 studies for qualitative review; 3 for objective and 8 for subjective sleep meta-analyses.
Main Results:
- Overreaching protocols averaged 16 days, utilizing modalities like cycling, rowing, and running.
- Objective sleep quality showed a significant reduction in sleep efficiency (mean difference -2.0%).
- Subjective sleep quality was not significantly affected by overreaching (p = 0.08).
Conclusions:
- Endurance-based overreaching can impair objective sleep efficiency.
- Perceived sleep quality does not appear to be affected by overreaching.
- Further high-quality research is necessary due to the risk of bias in current studies.
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