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Christensen S, Gjelstad A, Björnsdottir I, Lauritzen F. Medicalization of Sport? A Mixed-Method Study on the Use of Medications in Elite Ice Hockey. Sports (Basel) 2024; 12:19. [PMID: 38251293 PMCID: PMC10818849 DOI: 10.3390/sports12010019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Ice hockey is a high-risk sport known for its dominant macho culture. The purpose of this study was to examine experiences surrounding medication use among male, elite ice hockey players in Norway. A mixed-method design was employed, which first examined medications registered on doping control forms (DCFs) (n = 177) and then involved semi-structured focus group interviews (n = 5) with elite athletes (n = 25). Overall, 68% of the DCFs contained information about ≥1 medication. Among the most registered medications were NSAIDs and hypnotics (20% and 19% of all DCFs, respectively). During the interviews, numerous athletes reported using analgesics to manage injuries and pain caused by the sport, often being motivated by sacrificing themselves for the team during important matches and playoffs. Hypnotics were used due to high cumulative stress due to heavy training and competition load, late-night matches, and playing in a semi-professional league. Athlete support personnel (ASP), including physicians and trainers, were the athletes' main sources of information. The athletes often displayed a profound and non-critical trust in the advice and products provided to them by their team physician. The findings indicate that male, elite ice hockey players, through their excessive and somewhat ignorant use of medications, expose themselves to health risks and inadvertent doping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Christensen
- Science and Medicine, Anti-Doping Norway, 0855 Oslo, Norway (A.G.)
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway;
| | - Astrid Gjelstad
- Science and Medicine, Anti-Doping Norway, 0855 Oslo, Norway (A.G.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingunn Björnsdottir
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway;
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Vitale JA, Borghi S, Piacentini MF, Banfi G, La Torre A. To Sleep Dreaming Medals: Sleep Characteristics, Napping Behavior, and Sleep-Hygiene Strategies in Elite Track-and-Field Athletes Facing the Olympic Games of Tokyo 2021. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2023; 18:1412-1419. [PMID: 37730209 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2023-0144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Few data are available on sleep characteristics of elite track-and-field athletes. Our study aimed to assess (1) differences in sleep between sexes and among different track-and-field disciplines, (2) the effect of individualized sleep-hygiene strategies on athletes' sleep parameters, and (3) daytime nap characteristics in track-and-field athletes. METHODS Sleep characteristics of 16 elite Olympic-level track-and-field athletes (male: n = 8; female: n = 8) were assessed during the preseason period, at baseline (T0), and during the in-season period, after the adoption of individualized sleep-hygiene strategies (T1). Sleep parameters were objectively monitored by actigraphy for a minimum of 10 days, for each athlete, at both T0 and T1. A total of 702 nights were analyzed (T0 = 425; T1 = 277). RESULTS Female athletes displayed better sleep efficiency (88.69 [87.69-89.68] vs 91.72 [90.99-92.45]; P = .003, effect size [ES]: 0.44), lower sleep latency (18.99 [15.97-22.00] vs 6.99 [5.65-8.32]; P < .001, ES: 0.65), higher total sleep time (07:03 [06:56-07:11] vs 07:18 [07:10-07:26]; P = .030, ES: 0.26), earlier bedtime (00:24 [00:16-00:32] vs 00:13 [00:04-00:22]; P = .027, ES: 0.18), and lower nap frequency (P < .001) than male athletes. Long-distance runners had earlier bedtime (00:10 [00:03-00:38] vs 00:36 [00:26-00:46]; P < .001, ES: 0.41) and wake-up time (07:41 [07:36-07:46] vs 08:18 [08:07-08:30]; P < .001, ES: 0.61), higher nap frequency, but lower sleep efficiency (88.79 [87.80-89.77] vs 91.67 [90.95-92.38]; P = .013, ES: 0.44), and longer sleep latency (18.89 [15.94-21.84] vs 6.69 [5.33-8.06]; P < .001, ES: 0.67) than athletes of short-term disciplines. Furthermore, sleep-hygiene strategies had a positive impact on athletes' total sleep time (429.2 [423.5-434.8] vs 451.4 [444.2-458.6]; P < .001, ES: 0.37) and sleep latency (14.33 [12.34-16.32] vs 10.67 [8.66-12.68]; P = .017, ES: 0.19). CONCLUSIONS Sleep quality and quantity were suboptimal at baseline in Olympic-level track-and-field athletes. Large differences were observed in sleep characteristics between sexes and among different track-and-field disciplines. Given the positive effect of individualized sleep-hygiene strategies on athlete's sleep, coaches should implement sleep education sessions in the daily routine of top-level athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefano Borghi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Banfi
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio La Torre
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy
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Edinborough L, Hill J, Jarvis M, Bruce-Low S, Pedlar CR. A bespoke sleep monitoring and sleep hygiene intervention improves sleep in an U18 professional football player: A case study. J Sports Sci 2023:1-8. [PMID: 37183452 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2023.2213032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
This case study reports on a professional football player (age: 17.6 years) who was referred for sleep monitoring and intervention after reporting excessive night-time awakenings. The player undertook a series of subjective sleep assessments and objective sleep monitoring (activity monitor). Based on the data presented, a sleep hygiene intervention was prescribed. Numerical comparisons were made between pre-intervention (Pre) and post-intervention (Post) values. Objective values were also compared to reference data from a similarly aged professional cohort from the same club (n = 11). Wake episodes per night (Pre: 7.9 ± 3, Post: 4.5 ± 1.9; -43%) and wake after sleep onset (WASO; Pre: 74.3 ± 31.8 mins, Post: 50.0 ± 22.8 mins, -33%) were improved from Pre to Post. Compared to the reference data, mean wake episodes per night (Pre: 7.9 ± 3.0, reference: 4.6 ± 2.6; -42%) and WASO (Pre: 74.3 ± 31.8 mins, reference: 44.3 ± 36.5 mins; -40%) were all lower compared to Pre levels. Whilst causality cannot be proven, we observed multiple sleep metrics improving following an intervention. This provides a potential framework for practitioners looking to provide targeted sleep assessment and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Edinborough
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Sciences, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK
- Department of Sport Science, Southampton Football Club, Southampton, UK
| | - Jessica Hill
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Sciences, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK
| | - Mark Jarvis
- Department of Sport Science, Southampton Football Club, Southampton, UK
| | - Stewart Bruce-Low
- School of Health Sport & Bioscience, University of East London, London, UK
| | - Charles R Pedlar
- Faculty of Sport, Allied Health and Performance Sciences, St Mary's University, Twickenham, UK
- Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health, Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London (UCL), London, UK
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Mesas AE, Núñez de Arenas-Arroyo S, Martinez-Vizcaino V, Garrido-Miguel M, Fernández-Rodríguez R, Bizzozero-Peroni B, Torres-Costoso AI. Is daytime napping an effective strategy to improve sport-related cognitive and physical performance and reduce fatigue? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Sports Med 2023; 57:417-426. [PMID: 36690376 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2022-106355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the association between daytime napping and cognitive and physical sport performance and fatigue after normal sleep and partial sleep deprivation (less sleep duration than necessary). DESIGN Systematic review and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES The PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, SportDiscus and PsycINFO databases. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES Randomised controlled trials on the effect of daytime napping on sport performance and fatigue available from inception to 2 December 2022. Standardised mean differences (SMD) and their 95% compatibility intervals (CI) were estimated with the DerSimonian-Laird method through random effect models. RESULTS In the 22 included trials, 291 male participants (164 trained athletes and 127 physically active adults) aged between 18 and 35 years were studied. When performed after a normal night of sleep, napping from 12:30 hours to 16:50 hours (with 14:00 hours being the most frequent time) improved cognitive (SMD=0.69, 95% CI: 0.37 to 1.00; I2=71.5%) and physical performance (SMD=0.99, 95% CI: 0.67 to 1.31; I2=89.1%) and reduced the perception of fatigue (SMD=-0.76, 95% CI: -1.24 to -0.28; I2=89.5%). The positive effects of napping were also confirmed after partial sleep deprivation. Overall, the benefits were higher with a nap duration between 30 and <60 min and when the time from nap awakening to test was greater than 1 hour. CONCLUSIONS After a night of normal sleep or partial sleep deprivation, a daytime nap between 30 and <60 min has a moderate-to-high effect on the improvement of cognitive performance and physical performance and on the reduction of perceived fatigue. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42020212272.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur Eumann Mesas
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha - Campus de Cuenca, Cuenca, Spain
- Postgraduate Program in Public Health, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
| | | | - Vicente Martinez-Vizcaino
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha - Campus de Cuenca, Cuenca, Spain
- Department of Medical Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile - Sede Talca, Talca, Chile
| | - Miriam Garrido-Miguel
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha - Campus de Cuenca, Cuenca, Spain
- Facultad de Enfermería, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha - Campus de Albacete, Albacete, Spain
| | - Ruben Fernández-Rodríguez
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha - Campus de Cuenca, Cuenca, Spain
| | - Bruno Bizzozero-Peroni
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha - Campus de Cuenca, Cuenca, Spain
- Instituto Superior de Educación Física, Universidad de la Republica Uruguay, Rivera, Uruguay
| | - Ana I Torres-Costoso
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha - Campus de Cuenca, Cuenca, Spain
- Facultad de Fisioterapia y Enfermería, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha - Campus de Toledo, Toledo, Spain
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Cook JD, Charest J. Sleep and Performance in Professional Athletes. CURRENT SLEEP MEDICINE REPORTS 2023; 9:56-81. [PMID: 36683842 PMCID: PMC9843114 DOI: 10.1007/s40675-022-00243-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Sleep is an essential human behavior that plays a key role in proper biopsychosocial development as well as short- and long-term biological, physical, psychological, and cognitive health. Sleep plays a key role in athletic performance, influencing an athlete's ability to train, recover, and perform, as well as their overall wellness. Over the recent decade, the awareness of sleep's import has penetrated just about every professional sport domain. The purpose of the review was to identify and synthesize the literature published within the past 5 years (2018-2022) that relates to sleep and performance in professional athletes. Literature related to nonprofessional, high-level athletes (e.g., collegiate; Olympic) was omitted as well as those associated with non-traditional professional sports (e.g., eSports). Recent Findings Results from 38 articles were incorporated into this review, which covered (1) the sleep's role in the training, physical injury prevention and recovery, competitive performance, and mental health of professional athletes, (2) common sleep problems and disorders in professional athletes, and (3) the impact of unique challenges from training, travel, competition, and other factors on sleep health. Additionally, we provide an orientation to utilized strategies and interventions to assist with sleep health in professional athletes, as well as conclude with a commentary on critical steps forward. Summary Sleep plays a critically important role in the training, recovery, performance, and overall wellness of professional athletes. Professional athletes are vulnerable to a variety of sleep-related problems and disorders, due to unique factors related to training, travel, and competition, among other factors. Improved, standardized research methodology and partnerships between professional athletes, coaches, teams, and organizations and researchers are necessary to advance the knowledge of sleep and performance in professional athletes, including identifying sport-specific differences and variation across individual characteristics, as well as developing individualizable, dynamic, and appropriate interventions for improving sleep health among professional athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse D. Cook
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Jonathan Charest
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB Canada
- Centre for Sleep & Human Performance, 106, 51 Sunpark Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3V4 Canada
- École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC Canada
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Penttilä E, Vuorinen VP, Kivimäki M, Ahlberg J, Airaksinen O, Tuomilehto H. Comparison of sleep between youth elite amateur athletes and professional athletes. SPORT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11332-021-00780-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
AbstractRecent studies suggest that professional athletes seem to experience significant sleeping problems. However, little is still known about the occurrence of sleeping challenges at different stages of an athletic career. This descriptive study aimed to compare the sleep of professional athletes with younger elite amateur athletes. A total of 401 sportsmen, 173 youth elite amateur athletes and 228 professional athletes fulfilled a validated questionnaire. The self-estimated quality of sleep (on a linear scale 0–10) was significantly better in youth, being 7.9 compared to 7.4 (p < 0.001). The professional athletes had a significantly higher risk for sleeping problems, especially during the competitive season (OR = 7.3, 95% confidence interval 4.1–12.9) and they also used significantly more sleep medications (OR = 8.3, 95% confidence interval 1.7–4.1). Interestingly, majority of youth athletes (85.4%) had received adequate sleep counselling compared with professional athletes (58.1%), (p < 0.001). Furthermore, 75.8% of professional athletes considered that additional sleep counselling would improve their performance compared with only 45.6% of youth athletes (p < 0.001). Our study demonstrates that compared with the younger counterparts, professional athletes experience impaired sleep quality and significantly more sleeping problems. There may be various underlying factors to induce the problems. The early intervention with sleep counselling may play an important role in preventing these problems and, therefore, it is recommended to be integrated in athletes’ overall training process.
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