1208 IMPACT OF TIME AND ACTIVITY DEMANDS ON SLEEP OF STUDENT ATHLETES: IT’S NOT ABOUT REDUCED SLEEP OPPORTUNITY

Abstract

Introduction: Student athletes are at high risk for poor sleep, yet sleep impacts academic and athletic performance. Despite speculation about the role of over-scheduling, little evidence examines time demands relative to sleep duration and insomnia in this population. Methods: Data were collected from N=190 Division-1 student athletes. Sleep duration was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) item. Insomnia was assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Students were asked how many hours/week were spent in training/practice/competition, work, class, and studying/homework. They were also asked to rate whether activities interfered with sleep: practice, competition, training, class, homework/studying, and work/ job. Regression analyses were adjusted for sex and year in school. Also, analyses examining interference of activities adjusted for time in that activity. Results: Mean sleep duration was 6.96 (SD=1.17) hours and mean ISI score was 7.68 (SD=5.15). Mean weekly time spent in training/ practice/competition, work, class, and studying/homework were 16.21 (SD=9.02), 1.81 (SD=5.47), 8.36 (SD=6.12), and 8.86 (SD=6.82) hours, respectively. Percent reporting interference with sleep were as follows: practice:40%, competition:33%, training:44%, class:33%, homework:51%, and job:7%. Neither sleep duration nor insomnia were associated with hours spent in any activity. Shorter sleep duration was seen among those who indicated that the following interfered with sleep: practice (B=-0.43hrs,p=0.013), competition (B=-0.49hrs,p=0.007), training (B=-0.4hrs,p=0.012), and homework (B=-0.56hrs,p=0.001). Higher ISI score was seen among those who indicated that the following interfered with sleep: practice (B=3.86pts,p<0.0001), competition (B=3.68pts,p<0.0001), training (B=3.26pts,p<0.0001), class (B=3.35pts,p<0.0001), and homework (B=4.07pts,p<0.0001). Mediation analyses showed that sleep duration relationships were fully mediated by ISI score. Conclusion: Scheduled hours were not associated with shorter sleep or insomnia among student athletes. But individuals who perceived that activities interfered with sleep reported shorter sleep duration and higher ISI scores, even after adjustment for hours spent. Since sleep duration effects were explained by insomnia, this suggests that impacts on sleep are related to reduced sleep quality, not opportunity.