The Effect of Napping on Sleep Quality and Quantity in Healthy and Concussed Collegiate Athletes

<p>Clinicians are increasingly prescribing a regulated sleep schedule to athletes post injury; however, baseline sleep habits of collegiate athletes are unknown. Moreover, the connection between napping and sleep quality and quantity has not been studied in collegiate athletes. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate napping behaviors and their effects on sleep quantity and quality in concussed and non-concussed collegiate athletes. In a sample of 233 non-concussed collegiate athletes, 74% (172/233) of participants reported napping. Napping was not significantly associated with sleep quantity (χ 2 (2) = .23, p = .64) or quality (χ 2 (1) = .42, p =.52). Due to a small sample size (n = 6) in the concussed group, the results are inconclusive. The majority of non-concussed collegiate athletes reported napping; however, it did not affect their nighttime sleep quality or quantity. Athletes are advised to regulate their sleep after injury; however, the current study provides evidence that athletes are not regulated prior to their injury. Future research should investigate if these results are congruent with those post-concussion. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Kinesiology (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2018

Author dc:creator

• Stephenson-Brown, Katie

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Elbin, Robert J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• McDermott, Brendon P.
• Vandermark, Lesley

• Behavioral Regulation
• Concussion
• Sleep
• Applied Behavior Analysis
• Kinesiology
• Sleep Medicine

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/2714

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.uark.edu:etd-4265