Sleep Profiles of Elite Swimmers During Different Training Phases

Abstract

This study aims to describe the sleeping patterns during different training phases in competitive swimmers. Twelve national- and international-level swimmers (3 females and 9 males) were monitored during 4 different phases, consisting of a preparation training phase, a taper phase, a competition phase, and a rest phase. Sleep parameters were assessed using wrist activity monitors and self-reported sleep diaries. There was a moderately higher (d = 0.70–1.00) sleep onset latency during the competition phase compared with taper, train, and rest phases. Trivial to small differences were observed for total sleep time between phases (d = 0.05–0.40). Sleep efficiency was moderately higher (d = 0.60–0.75) in the training and taper phases compared with competition and rest. Restfulness and fragmentation index (FI) were lowest in the rest with differences between phases being small (d = 0.43–0.51) for restfulness and small to moderate (d = 0.43–0.62) for FI. Time in and out of bed was very largely later (d = 1.96–2.34) in rest compared with the other phases. Total nap time was moderately lower in rest (d = 1.13–1.18) compared with the training and competition phases, whereas there was a small difference (d = 0.46) compared with taper. To conclude, while there were trivial to small differences in sleep quantity between phases, there are small to moderate differences in other sleep parameters. Specifically, sleep onset latency was higher during the competition phase. In addition, this study highlights the substantial between-individual variations in sleep responses during different training phases.