Sleep Characteristics In Team USA Olympic And Paralympic Athletes

PURPOSE: Sleep is critical to overall health and sport performance. However, athletes are at risk of poor sleep due to stress, training, competition, and travel schedules. This study investigated sleep characteristics in Olympic and Paralympic athletes. METHODS: Team USA athletes completed the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Linear models and Χ2 test of independence were used to test for differences in bedtime, wake time, sleep latency, global sleep quality score (range: 0-21), and the seven PSQI subcomponent scores (subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbance, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction) between males and females, team and individual sports, and Summer and Winter Games athletes. RESULTS: 1594 PSQI records (49.9% female) from 52 sports were included in the analysis. 39.5% of athletes were considered poor sleepers (PSQI≥5). Males reported going to bed 12 minutes later (p = 0.006), taking 2.23 fewer minutes to fall asleep (p = 0.015), and 0.79 lower (ie: better) Global PSQI score (p < 0.001) than females. Males were more likely to score better on sleep latency (p = 0.001), sleep disturbance (p < 0.001), and use of sleep medication (p < 0.001). Winter Games athletes went to bed and woke up 15.6 (p = 0.036) and 15 (p = 0.028) minutes later, respectively, than Summer Games athletes. Team sport athletes woke 20.4 minutes earlier than individual sport athletes (p < 0.001) but were not different in bedtime, sleep latency, or Global PSQI score (all p > 0.05). Individual sport athletes were also more likely to be classified as low (p = 0.005) and mild (p = 0.045) risk for low sleep duration. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of poor sleep among Olympic and Paralympic athletes and appeared to be worse in females and team sports athletes. The PSQI could be used to deliver targeted sleep interventions in elite athletes.