Sleep duration and quality are associated with nutrient intake in elite female athletes. Issue 4 (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Condo, Dominique; Lastella, Michele; Aisbett, Brad; Stevens, Alysha; Roberts, Spencer
• Is Part Of: Journal of science and medicine in sport. Volume 25:Issue 4(2022)
• Page Start: 345
• Page End: 350
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Diet -- Recovery -- Actigraphy -- Sport; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- physiology -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Sportgeneeskunde; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2021.11.045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-2440

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Sleep is important for athlete health and performance; however, the relationship between diet and sleep in elite female athletes is not well understood. This study examined associations between energy, macronutrient and micronutrient intakes, and sleep in elite female Australian footballers. Design: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Thirty-two players had their diet and sleep monitored for 10 consecutive days during pre-season. Sleep was monitored using activity monitors and sleep diaries. Sleep outcomes included sleep duration, sleep onset latency (SOL), wake time after sleep onset (WASO), and sleep efficiency (SE). Dietary intake was monitored using the smartphone applications Easy Diet Diary and FoodWorks. Relationships between nutrient intake and sleep were assessed using Generalised Estimating Equations. Results: For each 1-g·kg −1 increase in carbohydrate intake, WASO increased by 3.6 min ( p = 0.007) and SE decreased by 0.6% (p = 0.007). For each 1-g increase in daily saturated fat intake, SOL decreased by 0.27 min ( p = 0.030). For each 1-mg increase in iron intake, sleep duration increased by 0.55 min ( p < 0.001). For each 1-mg increase in zinc intake, SE increased by 0.23% ( p = 0.006). For each 1-μg increase in vitamin B12 intake, WASO decreased by 1.72 min ( p < 0.02) and SE increased by 0.40% ( p = 0.033). Conclusions: Nutrient intake in elite female athletes is associated with sleep and may contribute to sleep problems. Research should explore causal relationships between nutrient intake and sleep, and the efficacy of dietary interventions for improving sleep in female athletes with nutrient deficiencies.