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Stress, Sleep and Recovery in Elite Soccer: A Critical Review of the Literature

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Abstract

In elite soccer, players are frequently exposed to various situations and conditions that can interfere with sleep, potentially leading to sleep deprivation. This article provides a comprehensive and critical review of the current available literature regarding the potential acute and chronic stressors (i.e. psychological, sociological and physiological stressors) placed on elite soccer players that may result in compromised sleep quantity and/or quality. Sleep is an essential part of the recovery process as it provides a number of important psychological and physiological functions. The effects of sleep disturbance on post-soccer match fatigue mechanisms and recovery time course are also described. Physiological and cognitive changes that occur when competing at night are often not conducive to sleep induction. Although the influence of high-intensity exercise performed during the night on subsequent sleep is still debated, environmental conditions (e.g. bright light in the stadium, light emanated from the screens) and behaviours related to evening soccer matches (e.g. napping, caffeine consumption, alcohol consumption) as well as engagement and arousal induced by the match may all potentially affect subsequent sleep. Apart from night soccer matches, soccer players are subjected to inconsistency in match schedules, unique team schedules and travel fatigue that may also contribute to the sleep debt. Sleep deprivation may be detrimental to the outcome of the recovery process after a match, resulting in impaired muscle glycogen repletion, impaired muscle damage repair, alterations in cognitive function and an increase in mental fatigue. The role of sleep in recovery is a complex issue, reinforcing the need for future research to estimate the quantitative and qualitative importance of sleep and to identify influencing factors. Efficient and individualised solutions are likely needed.

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Acknowledgments

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Université de Picardie Jules Verne, UFR STAPS, Allée Paschal Grousset, 80025, Amiens Cedex 1, France

    Mathieu Nédélec & Said Ahmaidi

  2. LOSC Lille Métropole Football Club, Camphin-en-Pévèle, France

    Mathieu Nédélec, Abd-Elbasset Abaidia & Gregory Dupont

  3. Department of Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, Belconnen, ACT, Australia

    Shona Halson

  4. Université Lille Nord de France, Lille, France

    Abd-Elbasset Abaidia & Gregory Dupont

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  1. Mathieu Nédélec
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  2. Shona Halson
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  3. Abd-Elbasset Abaidia
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  4. Said Ahmaidi
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  5. Gregory Dupont
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Correspondence to Mathieu Nédélec.

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Nédélec, M., Halson, S., Abaidia, AE. et al. Stress, Sleep and Recovery in Elite Soccer: A Critical Review of the Literature. Sports Med 45, 1387–1400 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0358-z

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