ECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH16
INTRODUCTION: High-performance athletes face substantial physiological and psychological demands, making optimal sleep critical for recovery and performance. However, chronic insomnia is prevalent and detrimental in this population, yet evidence-based interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) remain understudied in athletic contexts. METHODS: This prospective, non-randomized, parallel-group quasi-experimental trial enrolled elite track cycling and BMX athletes (aged 18-35) meeting ICSD-3 criteria for chronic insomnia. Participants were cluster-allocated from 6 training bases (three per group) to receive either a 6-week, face-to face CBT-I protocol (n=15; sleep hygiene, sleep restriction, relaxation therapy, stimulus control, cognitive restructuring) or a sleep education control (n=15). Assessments at baseline, post-intervention (6 weeks), and 6-month follow-up after intervention included the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) sleep difficulty score (SDS), sleep diary parameters, cognitive pre-sleep arousal (PSAcog), heart rate variability (HRV) during sleep, the Short Recovery and Stress Scale (SRSS), and subjective performance ratings from 0 (terrible) to 10 (perfect). Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and ANCOVA, reporting 95% CIs and Cohen's d. RESULTS: Of 30 participants, 29 completed the 6-month follow-up (CBT-I: n=14; control: n=15). Compared to controls, the CBT-I group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in ISI (post-intervention: -10.6 points, 95% CI, -5.42 to -17.04; 6-month: -8.2 points, 95% CI, -2.42 to -12.16), PSQI (post-intervention: -4.5 points, 95% CI, -7.41 to -2.04; 6-month: -3.9 points, 95% CI, -6.64 to -2.94), and ASSQ-SDS scores (post-intervention: -4.1 points, 95% CI, -6.91 to -2.05; 6-month: -3.8 points, 95% CI, -6.09 to -1.14). Post-intervention sleep diary measures showed greater improvements in the CBT-I group for sleep efficiency (+9.3%, p < 0.05), sleep onset latency (-0.5 h, p < 0.05), nocturnal awakenings (-1.8, p < 0.05), and PSAcog (-10.8 points, 95% CI, -5.12 to -17.93). HRV indices (RMSSD: +19.5 ms, 95% CI, 25.11 to10.42 ) and the SRSS recovery score (5.3 points, 95% CI, 9.72 to 2.14) improved significantly post-intervention in the CBT-I group. Subjective athletic performance ratings were significantly higher in the CBT-I group at both post-intervention (2.2 points, p < 0.05) and 6-month follow-up (+2.0 points, p < 0.05). No serious adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSION: In elite athletes with chronic insomnia, a 6-week CBT-I intervention significantly improved sleep quality, autonomic recovery, and perceived athletic performance, with benefits sustained at 6 months. These findings support the integration of CBT-I into sports medicine practice to address clinically significant insomnia in athletes. Future randomized controlled trials with larger samples and objective performance measure.
Read CV Xinwen CuiECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH16
Introduction: Infancy reflects a critical period, with large adaptations in cognitive, behavioral, and motor development occurring alongside significant physical growth. Significant weight fluctuations during the first two years of life have been associated with poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Specifically, changes in fat mass (FM) vs fat-free mass (FFM) in early life may impact cognitive and motor development. However, minimal research exists investigating the differential role of FM vs FFM on cognitive and motor development in early life. This study investigated body composition (BMI, FM, and FFM), motor development, and cognition in the first three years of life in typically developing children. Methods: Cognitive, fine motor, and gross motor portions of The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development – 3rd Edition were administered to participants (N = 35; age 11.86 ± 8.47 months, 54% female) to assess development. Infant length or height and weight were taken, and BMI z-scores were determined using the WHO Anthropometric Software. Body Composition measures were measured using the COSMED PEA POD or BOD POD pediatric option to estimate FM and FFM. An infant’s percent FM (%FM) was calculated as their FM divided by their total mass, and percent FFM (%FFM) as their FFM divided by their total mass. Partial correlations controlling for demographic features (age, sex, mother’s education, BMI-z, and birthweight) were conducted to understand the relationship between %FM and %FFM with cognitive and motor development. Results: Correlations on the full sample of 40 infants (11.62 ± 8.77 months, 20 males) revealed that infant BMI-z score was positively correlated with all three Bayley scores (cognition, r = 0.40, p = 0.02; fine motor, r = 0.40, p = 0.02; gross motor, r = 0.44, p = 0.01). However, in a smaller sample of 21 infants (62% female), the following partial correlations were observed for Bayley scores with %FM and %FFM, controlling for infant age, sex, mothers’ education, BMI-z score, and birthweight: Higher FFM% was positively associated with fine motor (r = 0.47, p = 0.038) and cognitive scores (r = 0.46, p = 0.039), while higher FM% was negatively associated with fine motor (r = −0.47, p = 0.038) and cognitive outcomes (r = −0.46, p = 0.039) Discussion: These findings highlight the role that different tissue types have in relation to cognitive/motor development. Specifically, fat free mass appears to be advantageous in terms of cognitive and motor development in infants. Furthermore, these preliminary findings highlight the importance of obtaining detailed, specific measures of infant physical growth and development to better understand associations between physical development and cognitive/motor development.
Read CV Lauren RaineECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH16
INTRODUCTION: Swiss fencing lacks a nutritional framework that (i) identifies behavioural barriers/enablers to nutritional adherence and (ii) quantifies intake, biomarkers, and performance. This project develops a data-driven nutrition framework for Swiss fencers, underpinned by behavioural science. Quantitative data capture dietary changes while qualitative data explain why they occur, making the framework comprehensive and reproducible. METHODS: A panel of sports nutrition experts rated candidate behaviours and retained 21 target behaviours for the Swiss Fencing Nutrition Service Strategy (SFNSS). Semi-structured focus groups used the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour (COM-B) model, the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) and reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) to identify barriers and enablers to nutritinal adherence. Dietary intake was captured via 4-day food logs and the German Athlete Diet Index (G-ADI). Blood and urine biomarkers were collected. Performance diagnostics consisted of countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) on a force plate, maximal incremental cycling for VO2max, and a fencing-specific change-of-direction/reaction-time test. RESULTS: Eighteen fencers took part in four focus groups. RTA identified six themes: Lack of Knowledge and Need for Guidance (barrier); The Paradox of Coaching Influence on Nutrition (barrier & enabler); Navigating Training and Competition Settings (barrier & enabler); Food Curiosity as a Double-Edged Sword (barrier & enabler); Self Confidence and Performance (enabler); Wellbeing and Emotional State of Mind (enabler). Thirteen fencers completed the G-ADI. Protein rich intake averaged 5.6 +/- 0.4 portions/day, exceeding the SFNSS minimum of 3 portions/day. Fruit intake was 1 +/- 0.7 portions/day, falling short of the recommended 2 portions/day in 3 of 13 fencers; vegetable intake was 2 +/- 1.5 portions/day, below the recommended 3 portions/day in 4 of 13 fencers. Serum 25-OH-D averaged 65.7 +/- 13.4 nmol/L, with 79% of fencers below the athlete specific threshold of 75 nmol/L. Oxidative stress biomarkers exceeded the clinical reference range by 30 +/- 62%; 9 of 15 fencers were outside the reference range. Mean CMJ and SJ heights were 0.402 +/- 0.064 m (males) and 0.264 +/- 0.026 m (females) and 0.352 +/- 0.058 m (males) and 0.231 +/- 0.022 m (females). Maximal oxygen uptake was 41.0 +/- 5.5 ml/kg/min (females) and 50.5 +/- 4.7 ml/kg/min (males). The fencing-specific change-of-direction and reaction-time test produced mean decrement scores of 4.9 +/- 1.8% (sprint time) and 23.5 +/- 7.3% (reaction time). CONCLUSION: These measurements provide a preliminary baseline for nutritional interventions and sport-specific performance norms in Swiss fencing. The combined behavioural, nutritional, and physiological baseline creates a platform for targeted, theory-driven nutrition interventions and longitudinal observation of behavior, diet and biomarkers throughout the 2025/26 season.
Read CV Lucas ThurnherrECSS Paris 2023: OP-SH16