Effects of competition on the sleep patterns of elite rugby union players

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 r 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,.2 = 0.495, p <.001), get up time (F = 21.175,.2 = 0.440, p <.001), time spent in bed (F = 10.669,.2 = 0.283, p <.001), time asleep (F = 8.752,.2 = 0.245, p <.001) and percentage of time moving (F = 4.602,.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 postmatch may have detrimental effects on the recovery process.