Prevalence and Causes of Sleep Problems in Athletes

Purpose of Review Sleep has received increased attention among athletic communities in recent years due to its impact on athlete health and performance. The current paper summarizes the prevalence of sleep-related concerns and sport-specific risk factors for the development of sleep problems in athletes. Recent Findings Findings indicate that a significant portion of athletes is not obtaining enough sleep relative to public health guidelines. While researchers hypothesize athletes need more sleep, no athlete-specific guidelines for sleep duration exist. Results on sleep quality in athletes are mixed with variability due to general and sport-specific factors. Travel, inconsistent schedules, training volume, concussion, and supplement use are sport-specific risk factors for inadequate sleep. Data on athlete sleep concerns should be utilized to inform screening, assessment, and interventions. Further studies are required to understand sleep quality and risk profiles that may contribute to sleep problems in athletes.