Abstract

Objective: Adequate sleep plays an important role in athletes professional success. It is considered a crucial component of muscle repair, neurocognitive function, and the integrity of the immune system. Sleep drives physical and mental recovery, by directly affecting muscles strength, reaction time, and judgement during athletic competitions. Despite its vital importance, many athletes experiencing sleep disturbances may not be identified and adequately treated. This review summarizes the specific data related to the identification and treatment, of insomnia and sleep disturbances, in athletes.
Methods: Studies evaluating clinical insomnia (DSM-5-TR criteria), objective/subjective sleep monitoring, and non-pharmacological or pharmacological interventions in athletes were selected by conducting systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO was conducted for English-language peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2026.
Results: Many athletes experience increased prevalence of inferior sleep quality and serious insomnia symptoms .Biological mechanisms such as elevated nocturnal cortisol, and autonomic nervous system imbalances interacting with sport-specific performance demands such as night time competition, hyperarousal, early morning training, and jet lag contribute to the development of sleep disturbances in athletes .The use of screening tools such as the Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) could effectively identifies at-risk athletes .The use of actigraphy as measure of objective monitoring is noticeably underutilized. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) consistently demonstrated superior efficacy compared to other interventions. Adherence and safety concerns present serious challenges for the available pharmacological intervention.
Conclusion: Insomnia in athletes represents complex converging concepts. of sports performance and clinical interventions. Addressing sleep disturbances in athletes would require systematic screening, objective assessment, and adherence to non-pharmacological interventions such as CBT-I as first-line treatment. Timely identification and treatment of insomnia and sleep disturbances in athletes are crucial components for athletes longevity and their overall mental health and physical well-being.

Keywords:Insomnia; Athlete; CBT-I; Actigraphy; Sports psychiatry