An observational study of sleep characteristics in elite endurance athletes during an altitude training camp at 1800 m. 2021

Maria Hrozanova, and Rune Talsnes, and Øyvind Karlsson, and Kerry McGawley, and Frode Moen
Center for Elite Sports Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. Electronic address: maria.hrozanova@ntnu.no.

To observe changes in sleep from baseline and during an altitude training camp in elite endurance athletes. Prospective, observational. Baseline monitoring at <500 m for 2 weeks and altitude monitoring at 1800 m for 17-22 days. Thirty-three senior national-team endurance athletes (mean age 25.8 ± S.D. 2.8 years, 16 women). Daily measurements of sleep (using a microwave Doppler radar at baseline and altitude), oxygen saturation (SpO2), training load and subjective recovery (at altitude). At altitude vs. baseline, sleep duration (P = .036) and light sleep (P < .001) decreased, while deep sleep (P < .001) and respiration rate (P = .020) increased. During the first altitude week vs. baseline, deep sleep increased (P = .001). During the first vs. the second and third altitude weeks, time in bed (P = .005), sleep duration (P = .001), and light sleep (P < .001) decreased. Generally, increased SpO2 was associated with increased deep sleep while increased training load was associated with increased respiration rate. This is the first study to document changes in sleep from near-sea-level baseline and during a training camp at 1800 m in elite endurance athletes. Ascending to altitude reduced total sleep time and light sleep, while deep sleep and respiration rate increased. SpO2 and training load at altitude were associated with these responses. This research informs our understanding of the changes in sleep occurring in elite endurance athletes attending training camps at competition altitudes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D009752 Nutritional Status State of the body in relation to the consumption and utilization of nutrients. Nutrition Status,Status, Nutrition,Status, Nutritional
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000531 Altitude A vertical distance measured from a known level on the surface of a planet or other celestial body. Altitudes
D012890 Sleep A readily reversible suspension of sensorimotor interaction with the environment, usually associated with recumbency and immobility. Sleep Habits,Sleeping Habit,Sleeping Habits,Habit, Sleep,Habit, Sleeping,Habits, Sleep,Habits, Sleeping,Sleep Habit
D056352 Athletes Individuals who have developed skills, physical stamina and strength or participants in SPORTS or other physical activities. College Athletes,Elite Athletes,Professional Athletes,Athlete,Athlete, College,Athlete, Elite,Athlete, Professional,Athletes, College,Athletes, Elite,Athletes, Professional,College Athlete,Elite Athlete,Professional Athlete

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