Association Between Sleep Quality and Dual-Task Performance in College Students

Purpose. Sleep quality is increasingly recognized as a determinant of cognitive and motor performance. However, its association with dual-task performance in healthy young adults remains insufficiently characterized. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the relationship between sleep quality and performance during cognitive and motor dual tasks in young adults. Materials & Methods. In this cross-sectional study, sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Dual-task performance was evaluated using timed up-and-go (TUG) under single-task and cognitive and motor dual-task conditions, with dual-task cost (DTC) calculated. Normality was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Parametric tests were applied to time-based outcomes, while non-parametric methods were used for skewed DTC variables. Associations were examined using Spearman’s rank correlation. Results. Average TUG, cognitive TUG, and motor TUG times were normally distributed, whereas cognitive and motor DTC variables were significantly skewed. Poorer sleep quality was associated with slower dual-task gait performance and greater dual-task interference. Global PSQI scores demonstrated moderate positive correlations with cognitive DTC (ρ=0.41) and weaker but significant correlations with motor DTC (ρ=0.29). Conclusions. Poor sleep quality is associated with reduced efficiency during cognitive and motor dual-task performance in young adults. These findings suggest that sleep quality may influence functional performance under attentional demand, even in otherwise healthy individuals.