The role of sleep quality and patterns in cricket player performance

Abstract

In the domain of professional sports, where success hinges upon a delicate balance of physical prowess, mental acuity, and strategic finesse, the significance of sleep quality and patterns in athlete performance emerged as a topic of considerable interest and investigation. This study delved into the nuanced interplay between sleep parameters and cricket player performance, aiming to elucidate the intricate mechanisms through which sleep influences various facets of athletic proficiency. The research methodology involved the recruitment of 75 elite cricket players, who underwent comprehensive sleep monitoring using Acti Graph accelerometers over a six-week period during the peak cricket season. Sleep parameters, including total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), sleep latency (SL), wake after sleep onset (WASO), and number of awakenings, were meticulously analyzed alongside objective performance metrics such as batting averages, bowling averages, and fielding statistics, as well as subjective performance evaluations provided by coaches and team captains. The results of the study revealed notable associations between sleep quality and cricket player performance. Participants demonstrated an average TST of 7.2 hours, with a mean SE of 85.4%. Significant positive correlations were observed between TST and batting averages (r = 0.56, p