Effect of daily mindfulness fluctuations on sleep and recovery-stress states in elite level judoka: an observational study.

Among 33 elite judoka, higher mindfulness—especially acting with awareness—was linked to better subjective sleep quality, shorter sleep onset times (both self-reported and measured by actigraphy), and improved recovery-stress states in the morning and evening. Daily fluctuations in mindfulness also predicted these outcomes. Objective sleep duration and efficiency were not consistently related to mindfulness. The findings suggest that mindfulness may help athletes feel more rested and fall asleep faster, but its effects on quantitative sleep measures are limited.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Sleep is a fundamental factor in an athlete's ability to sustain peak performance and endurance. Mindfulness, defined as a state of intentional, non-judgmental awareness of the present moment, has been linked to positive effects on sleep. The present study aims to investigate which recovery and sleep parameters are influenced by interindividual differences in mindfulness tendencies and intraindividual daily fluctuations in mindfulness. A two-week continuous monitoring study was conducted with 33 elite-level judoka (17 female, 16 male; age: M = 23.79, SD = 3.05) competing at the national and international level. Data collection included objective sleep monitoring via actigraphy and subjective monitoring through morning and evening self-report questionnaires. Sleep was analyzed as a function of both trait and daily mindfulness, as well as behavioral factors such as the number of training sessions, session intensity, and the implementation of recovery activities and naps. Multilevel analyses revealed significant positive associations between mindfulness and qualitative subjective sleep parameters, as well as morning and evening recovery-stress states. Among the mindfulness facets, acting with awareness emerged as the strongest predictor. In terms of quantitative sleep parameters, mindfulness influenced both subjective and objective sleep latencies. The findings suggest that mindfulness may play a key role in sleep regulation among athletes, particularly in enhancing perceived restfulness, improving recovery-stress states in the evening and morning, and facilitating the process of falling asleep. These results highlight mindfulness as a promising target for interventions aimed at improving subjective recovery and reducing sleep onset latencies through daily mindful behaviors. Furthermore, the study underscores the relative independence of qualitative and quantitative sleep parameters, suggesting they are influenced by distinct factors.