Effects of sleep disturbance on functional and physiological outcomes in collegiate athletes: A scoping review

• Published in: Sleep medicine 2021-05, Vol.81, p.8-19
• Main Authors: Wilkes, James R., Walter, Alexa E., Chang, Anne-Marie, Miller, Sayers John, Sebastianelli, Wayne J., Seidenberg, Peter H., Slobounov, Semyon
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic performance; Actigraphy; Athletic injuries; Athletic performance; College athletes; Sleep
• ISSN: 1389-9457; 1878-5506
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.01.046

To investigate sleep disturbances and circadian timing changes on functional and physiological correlates specifically in collegiate athletes. Scoping Review. PubMed MEDLINE, SPORT-Discus, CINAHL, ERIC ProQuest, Web of Science. Articles in English, studying college athletes 18–24 years old, employing a sleep measurement, and a comparison measure of cognitive, academic performance, athletic performance, injury rate, biomarkers and physiological measures, or imaging. Thirty articles met inclusion criteria. There was wide range of study design, sport studied, modality used to measure sleep, frequency of sleep measurements, and functional and physiological outcomes across studies. Sleep measurements varied greatly in frequency of data collection and type of measurement tool, with the majority using a sleep questionnaire. While all variables of interest were represented within the review, most had a focus on cognitive performance, athletic performance, or injury rate as a function of sleep. Studies using biomarkers and physiological measures or imaging were largely underrepresented. Few studies used biomarkers and physiological measures, and one study used imaging measures. Most studies in this review reported negative cognitive and academic outcomes with worse sleep quality and quantity. Sleep is critical to maintaining optimal health and collegiate athletes represent a unique population given their unique time constraints, stresses, and sleep behaviors. Findings on athletic performance and injury rate as a function of sleep were mixed. Employing standardized objective methodologies in future work will allow for better understanding of the influence of sleep on the overall well-being and performance of college athletes. •First systematic approach reviewing effect of sleep on outcomes in college athletes.•Healthy sleep is critical to optimal athlete health and performance.•Most studies examined cognitive performance, athletic performance, or injury rate.•Most studies reported negative cognitive and academic outcomes with poor sleep.•Measures of sleep acquisition and outcome varied greatly across studies.