Assessment of sleep quality in adolescent soccer players using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index

Abstract Purpose The adequate quantity and quality of sleep is essential for athletic performance. Previous studies found that elite youth athletes have a higher risk of insufficient sleep and team-sport youth athletes are more vulnerable to poor sleep quality. The present study aimed to assess the sleep characteristics measuring sleep quality, and the different components of sleep quality in adolescent soccer players utilizing a validated, widely used sleep questionnaire. Methods Adolescent soccer players, aged between 13 and 15 years, of the Hungarian Puskás Akadémia Football Club (PAFC, N = 25) were involved in the study. Sleep quality was measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results 33.3% of the athletes were ‘poor sleepers’ (PSQI≥5). One-third of the athletes reported longer sleep onset latency than 15 min, minimum once or twice a week, and showed a sleep efficiency lower than 84%. The most frequent sleep disturbances were ‘feeling too hot’ (80%), ‘waking up in the middle of the night or early morning’ (60%), and ‘having to get up to use the bathroom’ (48%). 13 athletes reported daytime dysfunctions, i.e., trouble staying awake and problems keeping up the enthusiasm. The co-occurrence of these sleep problems was common in the sample of adolescent soccer players. Conclusions Our study highlights the fact that sleep problems are common among adolescent soccer players, thus early identification of sleep problems among athletes can help to improve well-being and performance as well as reduce the risk of injury.