The influence of self-reported total sleep time and sleep quality on physical performance in junior tennis players

Authors

Keywords:

reaction time, restfulness, sleep efficiency, teenager, tennis agility

Abstract

Studies have shown the importance of sleep on tennis skill execution; however, its influence on physical performance metrics is unclear. This study aimed to examine the extent to which sleep duration and sleep quality metrics influence physical performance metrics in junior tennis players. Thirty-six junior tennis players from Australia and Germany completed the Consensus Sleep Diary over seven nights. A novel total sleep score based on current National Sleep Foundation recommendations was generated (calculated as the percentage of the average standardised sleep metrics), for each player. Players physical performance was measured using a comprehensive tennis-specific testing battery. This included sit and reach test for flexibility, counter movement jump and overhead medicine ball throw for power, 5-, 10- and 20-metre sprints for speed, tennis agility test for agility and reaction time, grip strength for strength, repeat sprint ability for anaerobic capacity and the Hit and Turn Tennis Test for aerobic capacity. Teenage (14 to 17 years of age) players reported significantly lower sleep duration (471 ± 116 min versus 543 ± 72 min; p <0.001, d = 0.83) and sleep efficiency (90% ± 11% versus 94 % ± 5%; p = 0.011, d = 0.49) metrics than school-aged players. Players with higher self-reported sleep quality had slower reaction times during a tennis agility test (r = 0.604, p = 0.011). However, players who reported feeling more rested and refreshed had faster reaction times during a tennis agility test (r = -0.579, p = 0.020). No other significant associations were present between self-reported sleep metrics and physical performance metrics. Nevertheless, feeling well-rested and refreshed, one of the primary outcomes of sleep, improves reaction time during a tennis-specific agility test. However, physical performance metrics are not significantly influenced by small variations in recommended sleep duration and sleep quality ranges.

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Author Biographies

Mitchell Turner, Edith Cowan University

School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth.

Johnny Lo, Edith Cowan University

School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Perth.

Philipp Beranek, Edith Cowan University

School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth.

Ian Dunican, The University of Western Australia

School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia; Centre for Sleep Science, School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth.

Travis Cruickshank, Edith Cowan University

School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia; Centre for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Sciences, Perth.

References

Studies have shown the importance of sleep on tennis skill execution; however, its influence on physical performance metrics is unclear. This study aimed to examine the extent to which sleep duration and sleep quality metrics influence physical performance metrics in junior tennis players. Thirty-six junior tennis players from Australia and Germany completed the Consensus Sleep Diary over seven nights. A novel total sleep score based on current National Sleep Foundation recommendations was generated (calculated as the percentage of the average standardised sleep metrics), for each player. Players physical performance was measured using a comprehensive tennis-specific testing battery. This included sit and reach test for flexibility, counter movement jump and overhead medicine ball throw for power, 5-, 10- and 20-metre sprints for speed, tennis agility test for agility and reaction time, grip strength for strength, repeat sprint ability for anaerobic capacity and the Hit and Turn Tennis Test for aerobic capacity. Teenage (14 to 17 years of age) players reported significantly lower sleep duration (471 ± 116 min versus 543 ± 72 min; p <0.001, d = 0.83) and sleep efficiency (90% ± 11% versus 94 % ± 5%; p = 0.011, d = 0.49) metrics than school-aged players. Players with higher self-reported sleep quality had slower reaction times during a tennis agility test (r = 0.604, p = 0.011). However, players who reported feeling more rested and refreshed had faster reaction times during a tennis agility test (r = -0.579, p = 0.020). No other significant associations were present between self-reported sleep metrics and physical performance metrics. Nevertheless, feeling well-rested and refreshed, one of the primary outcomes of sleep, improves reaction time during a tennis-specific agility test. However, physical performance metrics are not significantly influenced by small variations in recommended sleep duration and sleep quality ranges.

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Published

2025-03-27

How to Cite

Turner, M., Lo, J., Beranek, P., Dunican, I., & Cruickshank, T. (2025). The influence of self-reported total sleep time and sleep quality on physical performance in junior tennis players. International Journal of Racket Sports Science, 4(1), 32–40. Retrieved from https://revistaseug.ugr.es/index.php/IJRSS/article/view/33361