Key result
Reduced sleep duration in female athletes links to ~4-bpm higher morning resting heart rate per hour lost.
Why the study?
The influence of somnological characteristics on the regulatory systems of female and male polyathletes needed to be identified.
Does sleep duration and quality impact morning resting heart rate and autonomic regulatory system indicators in highly qualified polyathlon athletes?
Observational (n=24)
No
Does sleep duration and quality impact morning resting heart rate and autonomic regulatory system indicators in highly qualified polyathlon athletes?
Moderate reductions in sleep duration and quality adversely affect autonomic regulation and elevate morning resting heart rate by an average of 4 bpm per hour of lost sleep in female polyathlon athletes, whereas male athletes show greater resilience to acute sleep restriction.
Sleep restriction was associated with higher resting heart rate in female athletes; hypothesis-generating for autonomic monitoring in polyathletes.
The purpose of the study is to identify the influence of somnological characteristics on the regulatory systems of female and male polyathletes. Research methods and organization. Two independent studies were conducted involving highly qualified polyathletes, aged 20±2 years. The first study involved four men and four women. Sleep was recorded using the Sleep Cycle mobile app. Regulatory system status was assessed using the Kerdo autonomic index and morning heart rate. The second study involved eight men and eight women. Regulatory system status was assessed using an orthostatic test and morning heart rate. The results were analyzed. Research results and conclusions. A moderate reduction in sleep quality and quantity impacted the regulatory systems of athletes, primarily women. In female athletes, a reduction in sleep duration relative to the norm (7-9 hours) resulted in an increase in resting heart rate by an average of 4 beats per minute per hour. Sleep durations of less than 6 hours were particularly detrimental, as this corresponded to a heart rate 12 beats per minute higher than those with more than 8 hours of sleep.
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Anna Kotova (2026) conducted an observational in Autonomic regulatory system status in polyathlon athletes (n=24). Sleep duration and sleep quality (measured via Sleep Cycle app) vs. Normal sleep duration (7-9 hours or ≥8 hours) was evaluated on Morning resting heart rate (bpm) in female athletes across sleep duration categories (<6 hours vs ≥8 hours) (MD 12 bpm (4 bpm increase per hour of sleep reduction), p=<0.05).
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