Sleep Difficulties Associated with Academic Performance in Student Athletes

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Student athletes frequently report sleep disturbances due to overscheduling and balancing academics and athletics. This study examined associations between a wide range of sleep complaints and academic performance in a large, national sample. METHODS: Data were obtained from the National College Health Assessment of US college/university students from 2011-2014 (N=8,683 student athletes). Overall academic performance (GPA) was self-reported. Sleep difficulties included: report of "sleep difficulties" being "traumatic or very difficult to handle" over the past 12 months (SLEEP-DIFFICULTY), extreme difficulty falling asleep ≥ 3 nights/week (INSOMNIA), extreme daytime tiredness ≥ 3 days/week (TIREDNESS), nights/week of insufficient sleep (INSUFFICIENT-SLEEP), and whether sleep difficulties interfered with academics (INTERFERE). Multinomial regression analyses (Reference=A) were adjusted for age, sex, and survey year. RESULTS: Prevalence was 20% for SLEEP-DIFFICULTY, 22% for INSOMNIA, 61% for TIREDNESS, 27% for sleep problems that existed but did not INTERFERE and 18% for sleep problems that did INTERFERE. Mean days of INSUFFICIENT SLEEP was 3.2 (SD = 1.9), with 61% reporting insufficient sleep at least 3 nights per week. SLEEP-DIFFICULTY was associated with and increased likelihood of B (OR = 1.47, p<0.0001) or C (Or=2.18,P<0.0001) grades. INITIALINSOMNIA was associated with increased likelihood of B (OR=1.35,p<0.0001), C (OR=2.08,p<0.0001) and D/F (OR=3.71,p=0.001) grades. TIREDNESS was associated with increased likelihood of B (OR=1.25,p<0.0001), C (OR=1.62,p<0.0001), and D/F (OR=2.90,p=0.024) grades. Each night of INSUFFICIENT-SLEEP is associated with an increased likelihood of B (OR=1.04,p=0.001), C (OR=1.17,p<0.0001) and D/F (OR=1.34, p=0.002) grades. For those for whom sleep difficulties INTERFERE with academics, there is an increased likelihood of B (OR=1.87,P<0.0001) and C (OR=3.17,p<0.0001) grades. Those who felt that sleep problems did not INTERFERE were not at increased risk of lower grades. CONCLUSION: Sleep difficulties, including sufficient sleep, insomnia, and daytime tiredness are highly prevalent and associated with poorer academic performance in student athletes. SUPPORT: K23HL110216