title: Effects of competition on the sleep patterns of elite rugby union players.
abstract: No published research has assessed sleep patterns of elite rugby union players following match-play. The present study examined sleep patterns of professional rugby union players, prior and post-match-play, to assess the influence of competition. Twenty-eight male rugby union players (24.4 ± 2.9 years, 103.9 ± 12.2 kg) competed in one of four competitive home matches. Player's sleep behaviours were monitored continuously using an Actiwatch® from two days before the match, until three days post-match. Repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant differences across the time points measured for time to bed (F = 26.425, η(2)  = 0.495, p < .001), get up time (F = 21.175, η(2) = 0.440, p < .001), time spent in bed (F = 10.669, η(2) = 0.283, p < .001), time asleep (F = 8.752, η(2) = 0.245, p < .001) and percentage of time moving (F = 4.602, η(2) = 0.146 p < .05). Most notable, post hocs revealed a significant increase for time in bed the night before the match (p < .01; 95% CI = 0 : 10-1 : 28 h; 9.7 ± 13.5%) compared with the reference night sleep. Furthermore, time asleep significantly decreased post-match (p < .05; 95% CI = -0:03 to -1:59 h; -19.5 ± 19.8%) compared to two nights pre-match. Across all time points, sleep latency and efficiency for most players were considered abnormal compared to that expected in normal populations. The results demonstrate that sleep that is deprived post-match may have detrimental effects on the recovery process.
authors.affiliation: a School of Psychology , University of South Wales , Pontypridd CF37 1DL , UK.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Shearer
authors.affiliation: b Scarlets Rugby, Parc Y Scarlets , Llanelli SA14 9UZ , UK.
authors.forename: Rhys M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: c A-STEM, College of Engineering , Swansea University , Swansea SA2 8PP UK.
authors.forename: Liam P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Kilduff
authors.affiliation: d The School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences , Bangor University , Gwynedd LL57 2PZ , UK.
authors.forename: Christian J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: actigraphy; fatigue; monitoring; recovery