Sleep, depression, and physical performance in elite youth athletes

초록

Background: Sleep is important for athletic performance as well as for emotional regulation in athletes. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the relationships between sleep quality, depression, and physical performance in elite youth athletes. Methods: One hundred twenty-one elite youth athletes (aged 13-19 years) were classified into two groups based on their Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score (< 5.5 points): good sleepers and poor sleepers. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) were used as measures of depression and endurance performance, respectively. Results: The CES-D score was significantly higher in poor sleepers compared to good sleepers. PACER laps were significantly fewer in poor sleepers than in good sleepers, even after adjusting for age, sex, sport type, sports career, and depression. Conclusion: These finding suggest sleep may affect depression and physical performance in elite youth athletes.