An education intervention in a professional female basketball team and coaching staff improves sleep and alertness

The objectives of this study were to quantify the sleep behaviors and alertness of female basketball players and coaches and deploy a sleep education program. Twelve female players and three male coaches wore actigraphy devices for 60 nights during the Women's National Basketball League, Australia, to assess sleep and alertness and completed questionnaires assessing daytime sleepiness, insomnia, and sleep apnea. Players and coaches participated in a sleep education program consisting of a 2-hour sleep education session and a 20-min individual consultation to identify improvements to sleep behaviors. There were no statistical changes when comparing post- to pre-intervention data for players after the sleep education program. Whereas statistical significance was observed in the coaches with an earlier time of sleep onset (P = .04), increase in sleep duration (P < .05) and increase in time in bed (P < .05). The wake-up time each morning was later by 31 minutes (P < .05). No player or coach was at risk for sleep apnea or daytime sleepiness. Three athletes identified with having insomnia symptoms. This study provides evidence that an intervention comprised of a group education session and individual consultations are relevant for the maintenance or improvement of sleep habits and behaviors in a team-sport context.