Creation of a behavioural sleep intervention for student-athletes

Wilson, Alexander

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep is a fundamental behavioural state linked to various aspects of health and wellbeing. However, student-athletes often experience suboptimal sleep health across multiple dimensions. This thesis sought to assess sleep health amongst British student-athletes, identify the upstream influences that underpin suboptimal sleep health, and design and evaluate a behavioural sleep intervention targeted towards British student-athletes.
Methods: Five linked studies were conducted: a scoping review mapping behaviour change techniques in athlete sleep interventions; a cross-sectional survey examining self-reported sleep in British student-athletes; an actigraphy-based assessment of sleep in a team undergoing early morning training; semi-structured interviews exploring the barriers to sleep health; and the development and pilot testing of a behavioural sleep intervention.
Results: The scoping review identified limited use of behaviour change theory in existing interventions, and informed the approach taken to intervention development. The survey revealed suboptimal sleep health across dimensions such as duration and regularity, with frequent morning training predicting poorer sleep outcomes. Actigraphy findings indicated significant irregularity in sleep patterns among student-athletes exposed to early training, with a median Sleep Regularity Index (67.0) lower than previous findings in student and athlete populations. Reflexive thematic analysis of interviews identified key barriers to sleep and were mapped onto the COM-B model to guide intervention development. The resulting pilot intervention, featuring a workshop and personalised feedback incorporating nine behaviour change techniques, did not yield significant improvements in sleep outcomes, affect, or mental wellbeing. A planned adjustment to training schedules—a potentially impactful element—was not implemented due to logistical constraints.
Conclusion: British student-athletes exhibit suboptimal sleep health, with early morning training scheduling as a significant contributing factor. Stakeholders should prioritise addressing training timing to mitigate negative effects on sleep and health. This thesis demonstrates the utility of integrating behaviour change theory into intervention design and provides a framework for developing sleep health interventions in similar populations.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Dec 12, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 16, 2025
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13525214
• Award Date: Apr 16, 2025