INTRODUCTION: Since high-performance athletes often experience high physical and psychological demands (1), achieving optimal recovery in the training process is important in improving physical and cognitive performance (2,3). This study aims to compare the sleep parameters during the days with and without training of Paralympic powerlifting athletes, and to analyze the relationship between the training load and sleep of the same day. METHODS: Actigraphy was used to analyze the sleep parameters of 11 Paralympic powerlifting athletes for 14 days (7 days without and with training) while Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) analysis was used to assess training load. In addition, the Horne and Östberg chronotype questionnaire and the Epworth sleepiness scale were applied. RESULTS: Athletes show a morning and indifferent chronotype and low daytime sleepiness. Sleep onset latency (SOL) was lower (average 5.3 min faster), and total sleep time (TST) and sleep efficiency (SE) were higher (TST averaged 169 min and SE 7 % higher) on training days compared to non-training days. In addition, the TST of the night before the training days was positively correlated with the RPE of the following day, as well as the training volume was negatively correlated with the SE of the same day. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that positive effects of Paralympic powerlifting training were observed in increasing TST, SE and decreasing SOL on training days. These results point to the positive effects of this type of training in improving the sleep of athletes with physical disabilities. In addition, a good nights sleep the day before training can favor a greater effort in training the next day. Therefore, it is recommended to guide athletes to sleep more before training with more intense loads.
© Copyright 2022 27th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Sevilla, 30. Aug - 2. Sep 2022. Julkaistu Tekijä Faculty of Sport Science - Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään. / Kääntänyt https://www.DeepL.com/Translator