Uncovering sleep behaviour in women's football: what evidence do we have?

Sleep plays an important role in performance, health and well-being, yet may represent a challenge to many female football players. Areas of the brain that are involved in the regulation of sleep contain receptors for the ovarian hormones, estrogen and progesterone. While limited evidence exists describing sleep across the menstrual cycle in elite female football players, related data suggests that female athletes may report poor subjective sleep, despite appropriate objectively measured sleep quality and quantity, particularly prior to or during menstruation. Some of the precipitators of poor sleep in female athletes may include: travel and jetlag, caffeine consumption, light exposure, competing at night, menstrual cycle symptoms, menstrual cycle dysfunction, low iron status and performing caring responsibilities. This article discusses potential approaches to protect, assess and provide interventions to support sleep in female football players. Despite the evidence-base of research being predominantly studies of male athletes, there are a number of specific considerations that can be made for female athletes. These include advice regarding methods to assess sleep and provide interventions based on resource availability, monitoring and managing menstrual cycle symptoms and menstrual dysfunction and consideration of mitigating strategies to reduce the effects on known sleep disruptors. Many female footballers navigate unique challenges related to sleep, however with appropriate support from coaches and sport science and sports medicine practitioners, an appropriate support network can be provided to not only optimize performance, but the physical and mental health of female athletes.