Comparison of sleep status among three Japanese national wheelchair basketball teams

[Purpose] Sufficient sleep is required for maximal performance and good mood. Japan has three national wheelchair basketball teams: Top male, Top female, and Under-23 (U23) male teams. Using these team members as model, this study investigated the difference of sleep status of wheelchair basketball players by age and gender. [Subjects and Methods] There were 44 participants: 14 in the Top male team (29.5 ± 5.2 years), 18 in the Top female team (30.6 ± 9.2 years), and 12 in the U23 team (19.1 ± 2.0 years). Sleep status was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); higher scores indicate poor sleep quality. [Results] PSQI scores in the Top male and female teams were higher than in the U23 team. The Top teams showed shorter sleep duration and worse sleep efficacy than the U23 team. Time spent in bed and sleep duration in the female team were shorter than in the Top male and U23 teams. More male players reported “feel too hot” as the reason for sleep disturbance than female players. [Conclusion] Players in the Top Japanese national wheelchair basketball teams had poorer sleep status than U23 players. Among female players, the reason for insomnia was less sleep duration. For males, the reason for insomnia was “feel too hot.”