Arts, G.G.C. (Gijs) (2019) Exploring the Relationship between Training Load, Sleep, and Recovery in Elite Road-Cyclists. thesis, Sport Sciences.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Introduction: Balancing stress and recovery is important to prevent a negative training response. Getting sufficient sleep is essential for optimal recovery. However, elite athletes frequently report problems regarding sleep. One of the disturbing factors for sleep could be a high imposed training load. Research Questions: (1) Does the imposed day-to-day training load affect (self-perceived) sleep quality and recovery in elite cyclists? (2) Is ballistocardiography able to measure key factors of sleep in elite cyclists? Methods: 15 elite cyclists were selected for this study. Training load was determined with session rating of perceived exertion (S-RPE). Subjective sleep quality was assessed with a 0-10 scaled question and with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Sleep hygiene was assessed with the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI). Objective sleep parameters were measured with a Murata SCA11H BCG ballistocardiography measurement system. The Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS) was used to assess daily states of stress and recovery. Results: No significant differences were found for Time in Bed (TIB), Total Sleep Time (TST), Sleep Onset Latency (SOL) and Sleep Efficiency (SE) and subjective sleep quality between low, middle and high training load days (p>.05). There was a significant main effect for Wake time After Sleep Onset (WASO), but post hoc analysis was not significant. SRSS scores showed significant differences between groups (p<.05). There were no significant differences in TIB, TST, SOL and SE as measured by the ballistocardiography sensor and the PSQI. Conclusion: A higher imposed training load does not affect sleep quality during a regular in-season period when the athletes are exposed to a balanced training program. Ballistocardiography might be a way to measure sleep parameters since there were no differences between the PSQI and ballistocardiography sensor. However, more research is needed to further validate ballistocardiography as a method to monitor sleep in elite cyclists.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Kempe, M. and Erp, T. van |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 16 May 2022 08:08 |
| Last Modified: | 16 May 2022 08:08 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3332 |
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