Prevalence of Poor Sleep Quality and its Association with Lifestyle Habits, Competition-Based Activities, and Psychological Distress in Japanese Student-Athletes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives The present study clarified the prevalence of poor sleep quality and its relation to lifestyle habits, competitive-based activities, and psychological distress among Japanese student-athletes in the initial pandemic period (2020) and 1 year later (2021). Methods In the present study, student-athletes were defined as individuals belonging to university athletic clubs. The data of two cross-sectional surveys (2020: n = 961 and 2021: n = 711) were collected from student-athletes in 6 universities in Japan. First, the prevalence of poor sleep quality (Pittsburgh sleep quality index score > 5) was investigated. Relationships between poor sleep quality and lifestyle habits, competition-based activities, and psychological distress were then explored using multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index. Results The prevalence of poor sleep quality was 33.6% in 2020 and 36.6% in 2021. Poor sleep quality in 2020 was related to late bedtime, taking supplements before bed, part-time job (no late night), stressors of expectations and pressure from others, and psychological distress, whereas that in 2021 was related to early wake-up time, skipping breakfast, taking caffeinated drinks before bed, use of smartphone/cellphone after lights out, stressors of motivation loss, and psychological distress. Conclusions In both 2020 and 2021, one-third of student-athletes had poor sleep quality and psychological distress was its common risk factor. Lifestyle habits and competition stressors associated with poor sleep quality were pandemic-specific in 2020, but similar to the prepandemic period in 2021.

Prevalence and risk factors of sleep disorders in visually impaired athletes.

OBJECTIVE: The present study clarified the prevalence and risk factors of sleep disorders in visually impaired athletes. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted with 99 visually impaired athletes engaged in the following Paralympic sport events: track and field (marathon), goalball, swimming, blind soccer, and judo. Eighty-one respondents (male: 72.8%; average age: 32.5 ± 12.0 years) who completed the survey were chosen for analyses. Survey items were attributes [age, gender, body mass index, and condition of visual impairment (athletic classification and causing time of disability)], lifestyle habits (bedtime, wake-up time, drinking alcohol, meals, and use of electronics after lights out), competition activities (sports time per week, morning and evening practices, and competition stressors), psychological distress, and sleep disorders [recorded using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)]. First, the prevalence of the respondents having sleep disorders (scored 5.5 points or more in the PSQI) was investigated. Then, the relations between attributes, lifestyle habits, competition activities, psychological distress, and sleep disorders were explored using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-six respondents (32.1%) had sleep disorders. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that "interpersonal relationship stressors" and "wake-up time" were independently related to sleep disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of visually impaired athletes were shown to have sleep disorders. High interpersonal relationship stressors and late wake-up time may be risk factors of their sleep disorders.

Mental Health Status and Related Factors Among Visually Impaired Athletes.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of pieces of evidence suggests that sport activity is of potential importance both for physical and mental health. To date, there is a lack of information and evidence regarding the mental health of visually impaired people playing some extent of sports and recognized as athletes with renowned career track. The present study aims to clarify the mental health status and its related factors in visually impaired athletes. METHODS: The current study was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional investigation. Visually impaired athletes (n = 81; men: 72.8%; average age: 32.8 ± 12.0 years) engaged in Paralympic sports events namely track and field (marathon), goalball, swimming, blind soccer, and judo were the study subjects from leading institutions in Japan. A diverse range of issues were included in a questionnaire survey like attributes, condition of visual impairment, competition activities, competition stressors, social support, and mental health status (recorded through the K6 scale). Logistic regression analyses were performed with mental health status as a dependent variable and other studied parameters as independent variables. RESULTS: A total of 21.0% of study participants (11.9% of men and 45.5% of women) showed bad mental health condition. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that "female" (odds ratio (OR) 11.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.60 - 54.76, P = 0.001), "higher evaluation from one's surroundings for competition stressors" (OR 5.74, 95% CI 1.34 - 24.60, P = 0.019), and "lower social support from family members" (OR 3.97, 95% CI 1.03 - 15.25, P = 0.045) were the risk factors of bad mental health. CONCLUSIONS: The mental health status among visually impaired athletes might be almost the same level as non-visually impaired athletes and general population, and have relation to gender, stress of evaluation from surroundings during competition, and social support from family members. It may be necessary to pay attention especially to women, and improve one's surroundings of competition stressors and family social support to maintaining the mental health of visually impaired athletes.