Effect of Night-Game on Actigraphy-Based Sleep Quality and Perceived Recovery in Top-Level Volleyball Athletes

PURPOSE: Actigraphy-based sleep quality and perceived recovery before and after a night-game in top-level volleyball athletes have been studied.

METHODS: Data on sleep parameters were collected by actigraphy for three consecutive nights with 24 elite athletes [12 males and 12 females, mean age (±SD) = 26.0 ± 3.4, age range = 20 - 33] during the competitive season 2016-2017. One night before and two nights after an official night-match were studied and athletes' subjective perception of recovery was evaluated by the Total Quality Recovery scale. The following actigraphic parameters were studied: Time in Bed, Sleep Latency, Sleep Efficiency, Wake After Sleep Onset, Total Sleep Time, Immobility Time, Moving Time, and Fragmentation Index.

RESULTS: The analysis highlighted significant differences for all sleep variables. Total Sleep Time was lower the first night after the match compared to pre-match sleep (p=.02) and the second night (p=.0009) after night-competition (p=.0001; F(2,23)=22.93; ήp2=0.66). Similarly, Sleep Efficiency was lower immediately after the night-competition compared to both pre-match values (p=.03) and the second night (p=.0003) after competition (p=.0005; F(2,23)=8.93; ήp2=0.44). The same differences were observed in the perceived recovery values (p=.001; F(2,23)=13.37; ήp2=0.54).

CONCLUSIONS: Coaches and medical staff should utilize these findings to develop a greater knowledge of how sleep differs during different phases of competition and to implement behavioral and sleep hygiene strategies in top-level athletes.