Due to the high demands of competitive sports, the sleep architecture of adolescent athletes may be influenced by their regular training. To date, there is no clear evidence on how training characteristics (intensity, time of day, number of sessions) influence sleep quality and quantity. 53 male soccer players (M = 14.36 years, SD = 0.55) of Austrian U15 (n = 45) and U16 elite teams (n = 8) were tested on at least three consecutive days following their habitual training schedules. Participants completed daily sleep protocols (7 a.m., 8 p.m.) and questionnaires assessing sleep quality (PSQI), chronotype (D-MEQ), competition anxiety (WAI-T), and stress/recovery (RESTQ). Electrocardiography (ECG) and actigraphy devices measured sleep. Using sleep protocols and an ECG-based multi-resolution convolutional neural network (MCNN), we found that higher training intensity leads to more wake time, that later training causes longer sleep duration, and that one training session per day was most advantageous for sleep quality. In addition, somatic complaints assessed by the WAI-T negatively affected adolescent athletes’ sleep. Individual training loads and longer recovery times after late training sessions during the day should be considered in training schedules, especially for adolescent athletes. MCNN modeling based on ECG data seems promising for efficient sleep analysis in athletes.

Basic psychological need theory posits that satisfying basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) is connected to overall well-being and physiological health, including sleep. The reciprocal relationship between basic psychological need satisfaction and sleep quality has been investigated in different studies. However, a domain-specific questionnaire exploring basic psychological need satisfaction with a focus on sleep does not exist. Therefore, in study 1 we constructed the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction in Sleep Scale (BPNSS-S) through confirmatory factor analysis and item selection. A total of 227 participants completed the first version of the questionnaire. In study 2, 295 participants answered the final version of the 7-item questionnaire including measurements on sleep quality, life satisfaction, vigorous exercise and basi psychological need satisfaction in exercise. The final BPNSS-S yielded good to excellent model fit, and agreement with other scales supports the assumptions of good criterion, construct, and discriminant validity. The newly developed BPNSS-S is a reliable and valid tool for assessing basic psychological need satisfaction in the sleep domain. Application of the scale will help researchers and practitioners better understand and improve sleep quality and well-being through the lens of need satisfaction. This study lays the foundation for further studies in sleep and needs research, with the potential to guide targeted approaches that enhance sleep behavior across various populations.

Zusammenfassung. In dieser Studie wurde das Schlaf-Wach-Verhalten jugendlicher Elite-Mannschaftsathleten in Österreich im Zusammenhang mit deren Training untersucht. Dafür wurden 104 Athleten (M=14.52 Jahre, SD=0.40), die jeweils Mitglied eines U15/U16 Teams im Fußball (n=69) oder Eishockey (n =35) waren, über mehrere Wochen (14 – 42 Tage) per Aktigraphie und Schlafprotokoll untersucht. Zusätzlich wurden der Chronotyp (D-MEQ) und die allgemeine Schlafqualität (PSQI) erhoben. Es wurde angenommen, dass die Schlafqualität vor Trainings- und Spieltagen geringer ist als vor Ruhetagen und dass sich eine geringe Schlafqualität negativ auf die Trainingsintensität auswirkt. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Athleten an Ruhetagen eine längere Schlafdauer aufweisen. Es hat sich außerdem bestätigt, dass eine kürzere Schlafdauer und längere Einschlaflatenz einen negativen Einfluss auf die wahrgenommene Trainingsintensität am folgenden Tag haben. Ein stärkerer Einbezug der Schlafqualität bei Leistungsanalysen und in der Gestaltung von Trainingsplänen wird empfohlen.

Objectives : In response to a research request about the subjectivities of female athletes and the examination of athletes from non-Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) populations, this study aims to investigate the experiences of Costa Rican elite athletes concerning their menstrual cycle (MC) during their competitive season. The investigation examined (a) how Costa Rican elite athletes perceived the impact of the MC on their athletic performance in training and competition, (b) the strategies employed by these athletes to cope with the adverse symptoms associated with menstruation during the competitive season, and (c) the phenomenon of menstrual stigma within the sporting context in Costa Rica. Method : Thirteen semistructured interviews were carried out with Costa Rican elite athletes (age: 26.30 ± 4.1 years) from both individual (athletics, triathlon, judo, boxing, and fencing) and team sports (soccer, volleyball, and rugby). The data analysis was conducted using a Reflexive Thematic Analysis approach. Results : Every athlete included in the investigation experienced negative MC symptoms, while 92% ( n = 12) observed a detrimental impact on athletic performance. Participants implemented various individual tactics to cope with the adverse effects on their athletic performance, encompassing self-medication and caring for their hydration, sleep, and nutrition needs. The strategies highlighted the limited support and information about the MC within the sports community due to the stigma surrounding the topic. Conclusions : The overarching findings underscore the necessity of initiating dialogue about the MC within the sports community while addressing menstrual poverty issues to improve athletic performance among athletes and mitigate possible health risks.

Schlaf ist eine oft unterschätzte Ressource im Leistungssport, der meist nicht genug Aufmerksamkeit geschenkt wird. Während Trainingspläne periodisiert und Belastungen individuell gesteuert werden, bleibt die Frage, wie gut der Athlet oder die Athletin geschlafen hat, oft unbeantwortet. Dabei ist Schlaf eine entscheidende Grundlage psychischer Stabilität, körperlicher Leistungsfähigkeit und nachhaltiger Regeneration – für Profis ebenso wie für ambitionierte Freizeitathletinnen und -athleten.

Even though athletes need sufficient restorative sleep to cope with the demands of competitive sport, they frequently experience poor sleep quality (Walsh et al., 2021). Behavioral strategies are often employed to enhance their sleep quality (Cunha et al., 2023). Basic psychological need theory (BPNT) posits that the satisfaction of autonomy, competence, and relatedness (Ryan & Deci, 2000) may improve sleep quality (Campbell et al., 2015). This study aims to investigate this relationship in a cohort of competitive athletes. At baseline, 66 competitive athletes (M = 21.06 years, SD = 5.05; 74.2% female) answered questionnaires on general sleep quality and need satisfaction in sleep and sport domains. A total of 48 athletes (M = 20.00 years, SD = 4.44; 66.7% female) took part in a 14-night sleep tracking study. Actigraphs were used to measure objective sleep parameters (sleep onset latency, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency). Individual sleep deficit and subjective sleep quality were recorded via morning sleep logs. In evening logs, athletes also reported their daily general need satisfaction. Results showed that higher global need satisfaction (general and sleep-specific) led to higher subjective sleep quality, as well as to lower individual sleep deficit. Multilevel analyses revealed that higher general competence led to longer subjective sleep duration and shorter sleep onset latency, while autonomy and relatedness led to lower sleep need. Our results indicate that general and sleep-specific basic psychological need satisfaction is positively connected to athletes' perceived sleep quality. This study helps to unravel sleep dynamics and to highlight potential interventions for optimizing sleep in athletes.