Biology of Sport
eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X
Biology of Sport
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abstract:
Original paper

Evening smartphone exposure impairs sleep quality and next-day performance in elite soccer players: a randomized controlled trial

Nadia Dridi
1, 2
,
Mohamed Abdelkader Souissi
1, 3
,
Rim Dridi
2, 4
,
Halil İbrahim Ceylan
5
,
Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
6
,
Atef Salem
1
,
Sofien Fekih
1, 3
,
Mokhtar Chtara
2, 7
,
Bessem Mkaouer
2
,
Hamdi Chtourou
1, 8
,
Ismail Dergaa
1, 2
,
Nizar Souissi
1, 2
,
Valentina Stefanica
9
,
Piotr Żmijewski
10
,
Ryland Morgans
11

  1. Physical Activity, Sport and Health Research Unit (UR18JS01), National Observatory of Sports, Tunis 1003, Tunisia
  2. High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, Ksar Said, University of Manouba, Mannouba 2010, Tunisia
  3. High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Gafsa, Gafsa University, Gafsa, Tunisia
  4. Research Laboratory (LR23JS01) “Sports Performance, Health, and Society, Mannouba 2010, Tunisia
  5. Physical Education and Sports Teaching Department, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
  6. Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (LIAM), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
  7. Scientific Center of Research and Sports Performance, Sharjah Women’s Sports, United Arab Emirates
  8. High Institute of Sport and Physical Education Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax 3000, Tunisia
  9. Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sciences, Physical Education and Informatics, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Pitesti University Center, Pitesti, Romania
  10. Institute of Sport-National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
  11. School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
Biol Sport. 2026;43:227–242
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.152348
Online publish date: 2025/08/29
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This study aimed to examine the effects of pre-bedtime smartphone use on sleep quality and athletic performance in soccer players while also investigating potential time-of-day variations. In thisrandomized controlled crossover trial, 16 male elite-level players were assigned to either use a smartphone for two hours prior to bedtime or read magazines (control), separated by a one-week washout period. Participants completed morning and afternoon performance tests (cognitive and physical assessments) and sleep quality measurements. Nocturnalsmartphone use significantly impaired sleep quality, increasing sleepiness after days 3 and 5 (p < 0.01; d=5.74, d=5.72, respectively), decreasing total sleep time, increasing sleep onset latency, and reducing sleep efficiency (all p < 0.01; d=1, d=4.59). Cognitive performance initially showed improved afternoon results, although following five days of smartphone use, this pattern reversed with enhanced morning performance (p < 0.01; d=0.53, d=1.48). Simple and choice reaction times deteriorated significantly in afternoon sessions compared to both baseline and control conditions (p < 0.01; d=0.96–3.47). Physical performance tests revealed decreased jumping ability and slower reactive agility times following five nights of smartphone use, particularly in afternoon sessions (p < 0.01; d=0.85 0.91). Five consecutive nights of pre-bedtime smartphone use impaired sleep quality and both cognitive and physical performance in elite soccer players, with stronger effects in afternoon sessions. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing device-free periods prior to bedtime and potentially adjusting training schedules when evening screen exposure is unavoidable. Future research should explore countermeasures for managing evening device exposure in elite athletes.
keywords:

Athletic performance, Blue light, Circadian rhythm, Melatonin, Psychometrics, Psychomotor performance, Recovery, Screen time, Sleep hygiene

  
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