The Influence of Coaches and Support Staff on the Sleep Habits of Esports Athletes Competing at Professional and Semiprofessional Level

Abstract

The present study investigated the influence and perspective of esports coaches and support staff on the sleep habits of esports athletes competing at professional and semiprofessional levels. Eighty-four esports coaches and support staff from 19 countries completed an online questionnaire. The first section obtained demographic information. The second section evaluated sleep hygiene knowledge using the Sleep Beliefs Scale. The third section assessed sleep monitoring and sleep hygiene practices used by coaches and support staff with esports athletes, barriers to the use of these practices, and conditions that impact the sleep of esports athletes. Overall, sleep hygiene knowledge was inadequate (<75%, based on the study of Miles et al.). Sleep monitoring frequency was low (48.8%), while sleep hygiene practices were implemented more often (66.7%). The most common barrier to sleep monitoring and sleep hygiene practices was players not liking it (50% and 46.3%, respectively). Night competitions (64.6%), congested competition times (51.2%), and night training schedules (47.6%) all rated highly as having an impact on esports athletes’ sleep. Sleep education and training for coaches and support staff in the optimal use of sleep monitoring and sleep hygiene practices may increase the frequency and quality of sleep health support provided to esports athletes.