RESUMO
The current study investigated the associations between female football players' training loads and their sleep variations. The sample included 21 female elite football players from a Norwegian top-league club with a mean age of 24 years (±2.8). Sleep duration, sleep quality, and training load were monitored every day over 273 consecutive days with a Somnofy sleep monitor based on ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) pulse radar and Doppler technology, and a FIFA-approved STATSports APEX 10 Hz GPS tracking system monitoring players' training loads. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted to investigate the relationships between the players' training loads and sleep. It was revealed that very high training loads were associated with reduced time in bed (p = 0.005), total sleep time (p = 0.044)), and rapid eye movement (p < 0.001). The present findings show that the female football players' sleep was disrupted when the training load, based on total distance (TDI), was very high. It appears to be a point where their sleep is somewhat consistent through low, medium, and high training loads, but with disrupted sleep when the training load reaches a very high level. Considering the reduced TIB after a very high training load, there should be suggested strategies to improve their sleep, such as extended TIB, to aid in longer TST and improved recovery.
RESUMO
The current study investigated if physical loads peak on game days and if Bio-Electro-Magnetic-Energy-Regulation (BEMER) therapy is affecting sleep duration and sleep quality on nights related to game nights among elite players in Norwegian women's elite football. The sample included 21 female football players from an elite top series club with a mean age of ~24 years (± 2.8). Sleep was measured every day over a period of 273 consecutive days with a Somnofy sleep monitor based on ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) pulse radar and Doppler technology. The current study was conducted as a quasi-experiment, where each player was their own control based on a control period that lasted for 3 months, and an experimental period that lasted for 5 months. Accordantly, the time each player spent with BEMER therapy was used as a control variable. Multivariate analyses of variance using FFMANOVA and univariate ANOVA with False Discovery Rate adjusted p-values show that physical performance (total distance, distance per minute, sprint meters >22.5 kmh, accelerations and decelerations) significantly peak on game day compared with ordinary training days and days related to game days. The results also show that sleep quantity and quality are significantly reduced on game night, which indicate disturbed sleep caused by the peak in physical load. Most sleep variables significantly increased in the experiment period, where BEMER therapy was used, compared to the control period before the introduction of BEMER therapy. Further, the analyses show that players who spent BEMER therapy >440 h had the most positive effects on their sleep, and that these effects were significantly compared to the players who used BEMER therapy <440 h. The findings are discussed based on the function of sleep and the different sleep stages have on recovery.