Avaliação da qualidade do sono em atletas de Fitness funcional

Abstract

Introduction: Functional Fitness (Crossfit®) is a high-intensity exercise characterized by combining various physical abilities and multi-joint movements in the same modality. For the athlete to reach maximum performance in training and competitions, it is necessary that he is physically recovered between training sessions. In this sense, the importance of sleep in sports is highlighted, given its functions in repairing muscle damage, physiological recovery processes, relief of mental fatigue, among others. Objective: To describe and compare the sleep quality of Functional Fitness athletes in the Transmutation and Accumulation phases of training periodization. Method: Cross-sectional and descriptive study with a sample composed of elite functional fitness athletes. Sociodemographic and sleep quality information (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index – PQSI) was collected in the Transmutation and Accumulation phases. For the analysis of sociodemographic data, practice of sports, consumption of beverages and energy supplements, measures of central tendency and data dispersion were adopted, in absolute frequency. Data normality was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Data from the evaluation of sleep quality through the PQSI are expressed in absolute values (%), or mean ± standard deviation (SD) or n (%). To compare the categories of the components of the PQSI, Fisher's Exact Test was used. The McNemar Test was used to compare the phases, except for the variables related to sleep quality (waking time, bedtime, daily sleep time, sleep latency and sleep efficiency), which were evaluated using the test from Wilcoxon. Analyzes were performed using SPSS v. 21. Results: In the 13 evaluated athletes, the time of experience in Functional Fitness was 60 months (± 14.74), among them 84.6% did not practice other sports modalities and indicated preference for the morning shift to carry out training and daily activities, followed by the afternoon shift. In the evaluation of Sleep Quality, in both phases of training, it was found that, although the participants reported having a good quality of sleep (Component 1), in the final score of the PQSI, scores greater than 5 were found, which is indicative of bad sleep. The consumption of energy and caffeinated drinks was low, and among these the most reported was coffee without sugar. Conclusion: Although in the subjective evaluation the athletes indicate good sleep quality, the final PQSI score indicates poor sleep quality in most participants. Still, the athletes' sleep time was below international recommendations on the subject. We recommend that the results of this study be used to propose experimental studies with the sleep theme, seeking to understand it in Functional Fitness athletes, and favor the maintenance of sports performance in all phases of training.