Routine, Routine, Routine: sleep Regularity and its Association with sleep Metrics in Professional Rugby Union Athletes

This study investigated how consistent sleep-wake times (sleep regularity) affect professional rugby athletes during pre-season training. Athletes with regular sleep schedules had significantly longer total sleep durations, averaging 24 more minutes per night, and fewer nighttime wake episodes. They also showed trends toward higher sleep efficiency. Maintaining consistent sleep routines could improve recovery, physical performance, and cognitive function by enhancing sleep quality, particularly during intense training periods.

Athletes and active individuals should maintain regular sleep and wake times to maximize sleep duration and efficiency, which supports recovery and performance. This is especially vital during demanding training or work periods. The study's robust methodology in a real-world athletic setting supports applying these findings broadly, though individual circumstances may vary.