RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SLEEP QUALITY AND PERCEIVED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISCOMFORT IN PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES AND PARA-ATHLETES

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep quality is a fundamental component of recovery and performance in high-performance sport. Chronic sleep restriction impairs muscle recovery, resulting in an increased risk of overuse injuries and intratraining fatigue. Objective:To investigate the relationship between perceived sleep quality and perceived exertion and the occurrence of musculoskeletal discomfort in professional athletes and para- athletes. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included athletes from

sitting volleyball and athletics. Data were collected through weekly electronic questionnaires over a 10-week period, including the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center (OSTRC) questionnaire and additional questions regarding sleep quality, physical readiness, and perceived physical and psychological training demands.Results: The weekly prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort was 33.6%, with an incidence of 335.9 injuries per 1,000 hours of exposure, predominantly overuse and recurrent injuries, especially affecting the shoulders, ankles, and lumbar spine. A negative correlation was observed between sleep quality and training volume (r = −0.161; p = 0.009), while positive correlations were found between sleep quality and physical readiness (r = 0.700; p < 0.001). Poorer sleep quality was associated with higher perceived physical and psychological demands. Conclusion: Sleep quality was directly related to perceived exertion, representing an important indicator for monitoring strategies and injury prevention in professional athletes. Multidisciplinary approaches that include sleep assessment should be considered essential in the routine of sport science and rehabilitation teams.