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Open Access CC BY V4.0
Journal article
Heavy Hitters, Light Sleepers: Collision Frequency and Locomotor Load on Sleep Architecture in Professional Rugby Union Players
European Journal of Sport Science, Vol.25(9), e70052
2025
PMID: 40884431
Abstract
To assess whether certain players are more vulnerable to postmatch sleep disturbances by examining the relationship between match demands—collision frequency and locomotor load—and sleep in professional male rugby union players. A linear mixed-effects regression examined the relationship between match variables and sleep in 13 rugby players across three matches. Match variables included six physical demand variables derived from video analysis and GPS data (collision frequency, total distance, high-speed distance, sprint distance, acceleration load and fast acceleration count) and two contextual variables (location and kick-off time). Sleep variables collected via home-based polysomnography included total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep onset/offset, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, number of awakenings and sleep stages (light, deep and rapid eye movement sleep [REM], evaluated both by proportion [%] and time [min]). Each match collision decreased total sleep time (β = −4 ± 1 min and p = 0.006) and REM sleep (time: β = −2 ± 0 min and p < 0.001; proportion: β = −0.6 ± 0.2% and p = 0.021). Conversely, every 500 m increase in locomotor load (total distance) increased REM sleep (time: β = +6 ± 2 min and p = 0.014; proportion: β = +2.7 ± 0.6% and p = 0.002). Every 100 m increase in high-speed distance was associated with decreased REM sleep time (β = −7 ± 3 min and p = 0.020). Match demands, including collision frequency and locomotor load, were associated with changes in postmatch sleep architecture in professional rugby players, particularly REM sleep. Furthermore, greater number of collisions was associated with reduced sleep quantity. Practitioners can leverage GPS and video analysis data to tailor additional sleep strategies aimed at improving postmatch sleep based on individual match demands.
Details
- Title
- Heavy Hitters, Light Sleepers: Collision Frequency and Locomotor Load on Sleep Architecture in Professional Rugby Union Players
- Authors/Creators
- Kanon Uchiyama - Western Force, Perth, AustraliaPeter Peeling - School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Perth, AustraliaShona L. Halson - Australian Catholic UniversityMachar Reid - School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Perth, AustraliaKaren Wallman - School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Perth, AustraliaJennifer Walsh - West Australian Sleep Disorders Research InstituteSimon Thomas - Western Force, Perth, AustraliaOlivier Girard - School of Human Sciences (Exercise and Sport Science), The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Publication Details
- European Journal of Sport Science, Vol.25(9), e70052
- Publisher
- Wiley-VCH GmbH on behalf of European College of Sport Science.
- Grant note
- University of Western Australia (http://data.elsevier.com/vocabulary/SciValFunders/501100001801) Australian University Librarians Rugby Australia
- Identifiers
- 991005896258407891
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s).
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Allied Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.137 Sleep Science & Circadian Systems
- 1.137.349 Insomnia
- Web Of Science research areas
- Sport Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Clinical Medicine