Daytime napping in young athletes: a scoping review on prevalence, methodology, and effects on physical fitness and sport-specific performance

Optimal recovery strategies are crucial measures to ensure high-level performance in athletes. In this context, short sleep breaks during the day, referred to as daytime napping, appear to be an effective means for enhancing performance. However, high-level evidence (e.g., systematic reviews, meta-analyses) on the methods and effects of daytime napping on physical fitness and/or sport-specific performance is currently limited to adults in competitive sport. The aim of the present scoping review was to investigate the prevalence rates, methods, and effects of daytime napping in young athletes. For this purpose, a systematic literature analysis of scientific databases (Medline, Web of Science) was performed between September 2023 and March 2024. Studies were included that examined healthy young athletes with a mean age of 6-19 years, focusing on napping behavior and/or the effects of daytime napping on physical fitness/sport-specific performance parameters. Our literature search resulted in 12 studies with a total of 1186 young athletes. Results indicated that the prevalence rate of daytime napping in young athletes ranged between 37% and 91%. Most napping approaches comprised frequencies of one to two power naps per week, lasting 30-60 min/nap, typically in the early afternoon (12:00-16:00). Small-to-large increases in reaction time tests were observed as a result of daytime napping. The effects on other fitness parameters (e.g., speed, power) or sport-specific performance (e.g., shooting) were less consistent. In summary, the data on napping characteristics and napping effects suggested that naps in young athletes should last approximately 30-60 min, occur in the afternoon (12:00-16:00), and should be separated by at least 30 min between napping and fitness testing. Research gaps that were identified include studies focusing on puberal athletes, sex-specific analyses, controlled longitudinal study design, and protocols addressing moderator variables such as time of day and/or the time interval between napping and performance testing.