About this Research Topic
Many endogenous and exogenous factors are able to negatively influence sleep in athletes, including high-volume and/or intensity training, pre-competition anxiety, mental fatigue or long-haul travel. Reduced motivation and increased perceived exertion have been described as crucial factors when evaluating potential mechanisms of performance impairment after acute sleep loss in elite athletes. Recent research also observed a potential relationship between chronic sleep impairment and an increased risk for infections. Even though a large amount of research describing sleep habits and acute effects of sleep loss in athletes has been published in recent years, studies evaluating chronic effects are still missing. Therefore, the goal of this Research Topic is to explore the reciprocal relationship between sleep and physical/mental health, performance and recovery in elite athletes.
We welcome submissions that address the following fields/topics:
• Influence of chronic psychological stress (including social isolation due to Covid-19 outbreak) on athletes’ sleep.
• The role of napping for athletes, specifically for cognitive and physical functions.
• Influence of athletes’ training schedule and lifestyle on sleep behavior.
• Effect of sleep restriction/deprivation on athletes’ psychological and physical performance.
• Evidence-based or novel solutions to mitigate sleep disruption in athletes.
• Influence of social (e.g. new technologies) and sport-specific factors on sleep
• Influence on school and/or work commitments on sleep among elite athletes
Original research, data reports, case studies, theoretical perspectives, and commentaries are welcome.
Disclaimer: Topic editor Jacopo A Vitale is employed by B&T Spa. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.
Keywords: Sleep, athlete, sleep restriction, sleep deprivation, recovery, performance, jet-lag, sleep hygiene, injury, overtraining, mental fatigue, mental burden, mental health, mood
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.