World Sleep Congress

Singapore 5-10 settembre 2025

Corso Entry a Singapore

5-10 settembre 2025 – 09:30 - 18:00
Luogo:World Sleep Congress

Scientific and Operational Strategies to Optimize Performance through “High-Quality and Adequate-Quantity Sleep” in Elite Sport: The Italian Football Experience

Poster abstract
Hall 405

Tuesday, September 9, 16:45 – 17:45

Poster abstract group 3

L. Bonamassa1
1Bonamassa Sleep & Performance SA, Chiasso, Switzerland

Introduction: In elite sport, optimizing recovery is as critical as training itself. Recent evidence emphasizes the pivotal role of both sleep quality and sleep duration in supporting athletic performance, cognitive function, and injury prevention. However, elite football presents unique challenges, including irregular schedules, frequent travel, and high psychological demands, which often impair sleep. This work presents a multi-level strategy developed and implemented within top-tier Italian football clubs to optimize player performance through tailored sleep science interventions, aiming to achieve both high-quality and adequate-quantity sleep.

Materials and methods:

A multidisciplinary team composed of sports scientists, sleep specialists, coaches, and medical staff collaborated to assess and improve sleep hygiene, circadian rhythm alignment, and recovery protocols. The intervention was structured according to the “5P Method”, a comprehensive approach to optimizing high-quality and adequate-quantity sleep, based on five integrated pillars:

  • Active Elements:
    (i) Sleep knowledge: structured sleep education delivered to athletes and technical staff to increase awareness and behavioral engagement;
    (ii) Objective data & demographic profiling: monitoring through wearable technologies (actigraphy, HRV), sleep latency tracking, and apnea screening;
    (iii) Subjective data & psychographic profiling: analysis of routines, digital behavior, anxiety levels, and individual perception of rest.

  • Passive Elements:
    (iv) Sleep system: assessment and personalization of sleep ergonomics, including mattress and pillow testing based on individual morphology and sleep patterns;
    (v) Sleep environment: optimization of external conditions—light exposure, noise levels, room temperature, air quality, and reduction of electromagnetic interference (electrosmog).

Furthermore, the 5P Method was integrated into the athletes’ training and competition planning, including:

  • Sleep periodization aligned with physical and tactical workloads

  • Personalized strategies for pre- and post-match recovery

  • Management of jet lag and travel-related sleep disruption

  • Routine screening and monitoring protocols

  • Structured power nap strategies during training camps and competitions

These multidimensional interventions were customized to the athlete’s profile and performance context, continuously monitored and refined in cooperation with club staff.

Results: Preliminary findings show significant improvements in sleep metrics, including total sleep time (+12%), sleep efficiency (+8%), and subjective sleep quality (+20%). These changes were associated with improved reaction times, reduced perceived fatigue, and a measurable decrease in injury rates. Performance data indicated a positive correlation between optimized sleep profiles and key performance indicators (KPIs) during competitive matches.
Conclusions: Implementing a structured, evidence-based sleep strategy tailored to the realities of elite football can meaningfully enhance recovery, performance, and overall player well-being. These findings support the integration of sleep science as a core component of high-performance sport programs.
Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank the technical and medical staff of the participating Italian professional football clubs for their collaboration, as well as the athletes for their commitment and openness throughout the sleep optimization protocols. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Italian Football Coaches Association (AIAC) and the Italian Football Federation – Technical Sector (FIGC) for their institutional support and ongoing commitment to innovation and scientific advancement in football performance. We also acknowledge the contribution of sports science and chronobiology experts who provided valuable input in designing and implementing the intervention strategies.

https://ws2025.abstractserver.com/program/#/details/presentations/2575

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