Lack of Sleep and Sports Injuries in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Level 3 - non-randomized controlled study
Systematic review and meta-analysis of non-randomized observational studies
PubMed 30888337 · doi:10.1097/BPO.0000000000001306
What was done
Systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines searching PubMed and EMBASE (1997–2017). Studies were included if they evaluated the relationship between chronic or acute lack of sleep and sports or musculoskeletal injuries in adolescents aged 19 years or younger.
What was found
Seven studies met inclusion criteria out of 907 screened articles. In a random-effects meta-analysis of five studies, chronic poor sleep was significantly associated with sports injury compared to adequate sleep (OR 1.58, 95% CI: 1.05–2.37, P = 0.03). For acute sleep loss (two studies), one study reported a significant association with injury and the other reported no significant association.
Why it matters
It quantitatively supports chronic insufficient sleep as a modifiable risk factor for sports injuries in adolescent athletes.
Limits
Only seven studies met criteria, and total participant sample size was not reported in the abstract. Results rely on observational designs, definitions of sleep deficiency and injury were heterogeneous, and acute sleep effects remain inconclusive.
Cited by
- supports Adequate sleep reduces the risk of injury in athletes.