Sleep-related breathing disorders varied widely across athlete groups
A review found these disorders across several sports, with substantial variation in frequency and limited treatment evidence from selected athletic groups.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review found sleep-related breathing disorders in a wide range of athletic groups, with reported frequency varying greatly by sport. Daytime sleepiness and other health problems were reported alongside these disorders. Treatment findings came from selected sports and do not establish the same outcomes for every athlete; evidence for para-athletes remained particularly limited.
The abstract does not describe study designs, treatment comparators or follow-up periods, limiting interpretation of reported treatment improvements. It also identifies a major evidence gap for para-athletes.
What researchers found
Reported frequency of sleep-related breathing disorders
Descriptive range across sports, without a single comparator; observation periods were not reported. Defined by an apnea-hypopnea index ≥5 events/hour.
Associated characteristics
Reported risk factors included older age, male sex, body size, neck circumference, concussion history and certain playing positions. These associations describe patterns in the reviewed research; they do not establish that any factor caused a breathing disorder.
Treatment reports
Reports in golfers and judo athletes described better sleep or performance with continuous positive airway pressure. Reports in rugby players described less severe apnea and snoring with mandibular advancement devices, but the abstract provides no comparative effect estimates.
The original publication
A systematic review on sleep-related breathing disorders in athletes and para-athletes.
Gomes AM, Aibe M, Boulos MI et al.
Sleep Med · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41160949
- Record checked
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