Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Recovery in Athletes: BMI and Neck Circumference and Their Impact on Recovery Capacity...

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Sleep Science
• Athletic Performance

Background:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an underdiagnosed condition in athletes.
• Anthropometric factors like BMI and neck circumference are key indicators of OSA risk in athletes.
• Sport-specific training and nutrition can influence these anthropometric factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of OSA on athletes' recovery, injury risk, and performance.
• To emphasize BMI and neck circumference as crucial risk markers for OSA in athletes.
• To synthesize current evidence on OSA prevalence and consequences in athletic populations.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted in major scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Google Scholar).
• Studies published between 2015 and 2025 were included.
• Eleven studies met the predefined inclusion criteria for the review.

Main Results:

• A substantial prevalence of OSA was found in athletes, especially in collision sports.
• Higher BMI and increased neck circumference were consistently associated with a higher risk of OSA.
• OSA negatively impacts sleep quality, hormonal balance, daytime alertness, reaction time, and overall athletic performance.

Conclusions:

• Routine sleep screening for athletes, particularly those with elevated BMI or larger neck circumference, is recommended.
• Early diagnosis and management of OSA can significantly enhance athletic recovery and performance.
• Further longitudinal research is necessary to understand the long-term effects of OSA treatment in athletes.