Biology of Sport
eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X
Biology of Sport
Current Issue Manuscripts accepted About the journal Editorial board Abstracting and indexing Archive Ethical standards and procedures Contact Instructions for authors Journal's Reviewers Special Information
Editorial System
Submit your Manuscript
SCImago Journal & Country Rank
Search
Editorial Policies
Sarajevo Declaration on Integrity and Visibility of Scholarly Publications

Open access

without publication fees
Share:
Send email
Share:
abstract:
Original paper

Reciprocal relationships between sleep quality, mental health and the quality of life in elite athletes: A pilot study

Mohamed Romdhani
1, 2, 3
,
Emna Bentouati
3, 4
,
Rihab Abid
3, 4
,
Imen Moussa-Chamari
5, 6
,
Karim Chamari
4, 7
,
Helmi Ben Saad
8
,
Tarak Driss
1
,
Nizar Souissi
3

  1. Interdisciplinary Laboratory in Neurosciences, Physiology and Psychology: Physical Activity, Health and Learning (LINP2), UFR STAPS (Faculty of Sport Sciences), Paris Nanterre University, Nanterre, France
  2. High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
  3. Physical activity, Sport and health, UR18JS01, National Observatory of Sports, Tunis, Tunisia
  4. High Institute of Sport and Physical Education, ISSEP Ksar-Said, Manouba University, Tunis, Tunisia
  5. Laboratoire ACTES, UFR-STAPS, Université des Antilles, Pointe à Pitre, France
  6. Sport Coaching Department, College of Sport Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
  7. Research Department, Naufar, Wellness and Recovery Center, Doha, Qatar
  8. Laboratoire de Recherche (LR12SP09)“Insuffisance Cardiaque” Sousse, Faculté de Médecine de Sousse, Hôpital Farhat Hached, Université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie
Biol Sport. 2026;43:267–279
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.154147
Online publish date: 2025/09/09
View full text Get citation
 
PlumX metrics:
We aim to investigate the relationship between sleep quality, psychological health, and quality of life (QOL) in highly trained athletes. Elite athletes (n = 118, 20.1±0.64 years; 39 females; 50 world class; 102 aged ≤ 25 years; and 76 practicing individual sports) responded to the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), insomnia severity index (ISI), Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), Depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS), world health organization QOL (WHOQOL), and bespoke questions related to sleep hygiene. High percentages of the sample reported low or very low sleep quality (62%), moderate or excessive daytime sleepiness (51%), sleeping 7 hours or less (60%), and moderate or severe insomnia (16%), implying a modest sleep health. Female athletes reported higher PSQI (p < 0.05; d = 0.25), ESS (p < 0.05; d = 0.37) and DASS (p < 0.05; d = 0.27) scores compared to males. Young athletes (i.e., ≤ 25 years) reported higher PSQI (p < 0.05; d = 0.49) and DASS (p < 0.05; d = 0.34) scores compared to older athletes (i.e., > 25 years). Individual-sport athletes reported higher ESS (p < 0.05; d = 0.37) and lower QOL (p < 0.01; d = 0.51) scores compared to team-sport athletes. Higher DASS scores were associated with higher PSQI (t = 3.68; β = 0.3) and ISI (t = 4.78; β = 0.36) scores. Lower physical health (i.e., sub-scale of WHOQOL) was associated with higher DASS (t = -5.01; β = -0.42) and ISI (t = -8.02; β = -0.61) scores. Higher PSQI scores contributed to lower WHOQOL scores (t = -4.81; β = -0.41). In summary, the current study highlights reciprocal relationships between low sleep quality, low mental health and low QOL. Elite athletes (especially sub-groups of female, individual, and young athletes) showed a low sleep quality, potentially affecting their physical and psychological health and QOL.
keywords:

Health Survey, Highly Trained Athletes, Mental Health, Recovery, Sleep Behavior

  
Termedia
About us Contact
Copyright notice Privacy policy Advertising policy Contact us
Quick links
Journals Books eBooks Events
© 2026 Termedia Sp. z o.o.
Developed by Bentus.