Sleep Intervention for Elite Athletes

Summary description of the study

Sleep problems are widespread among athletes, as they often suffer from stress factors such as travel, irregular training schedules, and competition anxiety. However, good sleep is crucial for their recovery, cognitive performance, and physical health. Sleep deprivation not only impairs athletic performance but is also associated with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Many athletes do not achieve the recommended amount of sleep despite its importance. The aim of our study is to investigate the effect of a four-week sleep intervention on the sleep quality and mental health of Swiss elite athletes. The intervention consists of a workshop and an app that offers seven modules over four weeks to improve sleep. Participants will be surveyed at four time points: before the intervention (baseline), immediately before, directly after, and two months later (follow-up). In addition to sleep quality, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and well-being will also be assessed. We will also analyze influencing factors such as age, gender, sport, and training intensity. After the intervention, athletes will be interviewed in focus groups about which aspects of the intervention helped them and what challenges they experienced. The results of the study aim to improve sleep interventions for athletes and sustainably promote their mental health. We want to develop evidence-based recommendations for sports organizations and strengthen the well-being of athletes in the long term.

(BASEC)

Intervention under investigation

The intervention we apply in our study aims to improve the sleep quality and mental health of Swiss elite athletes. It consists of two main components: a one-time workshop and a four-week app-based program divided into seven modules.

Workshop

The workshop, which takes place at the beginning of the intervention, lasts one hour and provides athletes with basic information about the importance of sleep for their athletic and mental performance. The focus is on raising awareness of sleep problems and their effects. A central goal of the workshop is to motivate participants to actively improve their sleep habits. They are asked to define personal goals and document their motivation in writing. These goals and motivations will be used as reminders throughout the intervention to support athletes in implementing their plans.

App-based Program

After the workshop, participants gain access to the "7-Sleepers" app, which is the core of the intervention. The app offers seven modules, each lasting about 30 minutes, to be completed over four weeks. Each module focuses on different aspects of sleep improvement and contains audio content that provides guidance and techniques for promoting better sleep. The modules can be conveniently used by participants at home or on the go, allowing for flexible integration into their daily routines.

During the four-week phase, athletes will receive their personal motivation via email each week to remind and encourage them to pursue their goals. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to take notes about their sleep habits in the app, helping them document their progress and identify potential obstacles. The notes remain private and are not viewed by the research team.

(BASEC)

Disease under investigation

Mental Health (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and well-being), sleep problems

(BASEC)

Sponsor

Dr. Thomas Steiner, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen

(BASEC)

Name of the authorising ethics committee (for multicentre studies, only the lead committee)

Ethics Committee Bern

(BASEC)

Date of authorisation

31.10.2024

(BASEC)

Results of the trial