Effectiveness of a Sleep Hygiene Education in Female Para Athletes

Effectiveness of a Sleep Hygiene Education in Female Para Athletes: A Mixed-Methods Study Using PSQI, Sleep Behaviour, and Qualitative Experiences

It is imperative to recognise elite female sitting volleyball players as a high-risk group with regard to sleep deprivation. However, there is a paucity of research investigating the efficacy of sleep hygiene education for this demographic.

The objective of this study is to The present study aims to examine the effect of sleep hygiene education on sleep quality and behaviour in elite female sitting volleyball players using mixed methods.

The method of this study will consist of a mixed design conducted on athletes selected from the Turkish Women's National Sitting Volleyball Team using purposive sampling. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will be utilised to assess the participants' sleep quality, while the Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ) will be employed to evaluate their sleep behaviours. Data collection will be conducted at two distinct time points: firstly, prior to the implementation of a structured sleep hygiene education programme, and subsequently approximately 30 days thereafter, which will be designated as the post-test phase. In order to provide a more in-depth elucidation of the quantitative findings and to achieve a more contextualised understanding, qualitative data will be collected through two online focus group discussions following the post-test.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being an elite athlete who is a member of the Turkey Women's National Sitting Volleyball Team.
• Actively participating in regular training sessions and competitions.
• Willingness to participate in the planned sleep hygiene education program throughout the study period.
• Having sufficient cognitive capacity to complete the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire (ASBQ).
• Agreeing to participate in focus group interviews.
• Providing voluntary participation and signing an informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to participate regularly in training sessions during the study period due to acute injury, illness, or surgical intervention.
• Failure to attend the education program or assessment procedures regularly.
• Incomplete completion of data collection instruments or non-participation in focus group interviews.