RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Meredith Arterburn
Independent research GT
2018-2019

Title: Sleep Deficiency in Student Athletes

Introduction and Overview of Research:

The general area of investigation is how a lack of sleep affects student athletes both
mentally and physically. Specifically, the research question asked what the short and long-term
effects of sleep deficiency on student athletes are. By distributing a survey to high school student
athletes (through mixed method research), to determine their thoughts on different aspects of
their sleep. The primary research supports the statement that while student athletes may struggle
to get enough sleep, a lack of sleep leads to a decrease in athletic and academic performance,
causing both short-term emotional and physical disadvantages as well as long-term
developmental and physical drawbacks. The information acquired from the literature review and
data collection will be presented through a brochure distributed to high school student athletes.

Background and Rationale:

There are four stages of sleep, three being non-REM and one REM. Each stage has a
different purpose (“Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep”, 2018). The sleep cycle is controlled by
circadian rhythms and sleep drive (“The Science of Sleep: Understanding What Happens When
You Sleep”). During sleep, the brain cleanses itself. Specifically, spinal fluid cycles through the
nervous system. Brain cells shrink, which allows for the spinal fluid to more easily flow. The
spinal fluid removes the brain of toxins (Hamilton, 2013).
With regards to students specifically, sleep deficiency has negative effects academically.
One study cites that students with less than six hours of sleep per night had an average of 0.5
grade points lower than students with over nine hours per night (Scarpello, 2010). One likely
contribution to a correlation between lower grade-point averages and less sleep is that the brain
processes the information taken in from the past day during sleep (Kowalski, 2015). A lack of
sleep can make students less focused, more irritable, more anxious, and more likely to get sick
(Kowalski, 2015). The combination of these factors make sleep-deficient students at a severe
disadvantage. Additionally, although the National Sleep Foundation recommends that college
students sleep 8.5-9.5 hours per night for maximum functioning, a study of 105 undergraduate
college students determined that just over half (51%) of the undergraduate students reported
sleeping seven or fewer hours per night. (Carter et. al., 2016).
There have been a multitude of studies conducted to specify the effects that sleep has on
athletics as well as those that athletics have on sleep. One study revealed that athletes who lack
sleep tend to have more confusion and tension (Andrade et. al., 2016). Both can affect athletics
profoundly. One influential study in the sleep in athletics field was conducted at Stanford
University. Their research revealed that with more sleep, the student athletes had statistically
significant better shooting percentages and faster sprint times. The results suggested that more
sleep most likely benefits athletic performance (Mah et. al., 2011). Sleep deprivation also
contributes to weaker immune function and muscle repair as well as reduced glucose metabolism
(Kirschen et. al., 2018). Charles Czeisler asserts that reaction time can as much as triple when an
athlete is sleep deprived (C. Czeisler, 2019). Czeisler also cites that “the probability of zoning

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out completely and having a lapse of attention is much higher,” and that “balance and
coordination are impaired,” both of which will immensely detract from athletic performance (C.
Czeisler, 2019). In the long term, sleep deficiency inhibit growth hormones that turn adolescents
into adults (C. Czeisler, 2019). Altogether, sleep-sufficient athletes will likely have an advantage
over sleep-deficient athletes.

Research Methodology:
Research Question:
What are the short and long term effects of a lack of sleep on student athletes?
Research Thesis:
While student athletes may struggle to get enough sleep, a lack of sleep leads to a
decrease in athletic and academic performance, causing both short-term emotional and physical
disadvantages as well as long-term developmental and physical drawbacks. Students athletes
should increase their amount of sleep to improve athletic and academic potential.
Research Design Model
Research on the topic of sleep in student athletes was most appropriately conducted using
mixed method research because there were aspects of both qualitative and quantitative methods.
The tool was a survey, which asked both qualitative questions, such as how student athletes felt
about various aspects of sleep, as well as quantitative questions, such as hours per night of sleep.
A survey was the most appropriate tool because the research focuses on student athletes, so
surveying student athletes gives primary data that contributes to the research question. A survey
can also assess multiple aspects of the question with just one tool. The online survey was
distributed to high school students via social media. 89 high school students responded to the
survey.
Data Collection
The main finding of this questionnaire was that although there did not seem to be a strong
association between the amount of athletic activity and the amount of sleep a student gets, a lack
of sleep strongly affects the athletic and academic well-being of student athletes. Out of all 89
respondents, 31.5% agree or strongly agree that their athletic participation decreases the amount
of sleep. Student athletes do not tend to think that their athletics reduce the quality of their sleep,
for 68.6% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that their athletic participation decreases
the quality of their sleep.
There were many variances in the amount of naps, the amount of homework, and the
amount of sleep that high school students get, regardless of whether they are athletes or not. The
majority of students (64%) shared the sentiment that they do not get enough sleep. There were
very mixed sentiments among students on whether they felt they slept well or not. The last
question of the survey asked respondents how they felt a lack of sleep affected them. Overall,
students responded with many of the possible effects. The most common answer was less focus,
which 88.8% of respondents felt was an effect of less sleep. Less focus affects both athletic and
academic performance profoundly. Additionally, 74.2% of respondents answered that they are
more emotionally unstable when they lack sleep, which can make schooling and athletics more
difficult. Although only 43.8% of respondents answered that they feel their athletic performance
worsens with a lack of sleep, they answered other effects that would decrease their athletic
capabilities that may not be as noticeable (like focus and emotions).
Overall, these results support the claim that a lack of sleep in student athletes leads to a
decrease in athletic and academic performance. The results align with previous research in the

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field, as explained in the literature review. This study was limited in that the audience came
almost entirely from one high school, which could skew the results towards the trends of just that
school. Also, the survey was distributed to high school students, so it does not make conclusions
for student athletes at the collegiate level. In addition, the self-evaluation of a questionnaire can
be difficult for reliable data collection; respondents cannot always accurately evaluate
themselves, especially for sleep, which can be difficult to assess because of unconsciousness
during the action. If this study were to be done again, it would be helpful to ask more questions
in the survey of how student athletes feel their sleep, athletics, and academics interact with each
other. That way, there would be more qualitative data to pair with the quantitative questions.

Product Objectives:
The product of this year-long study, along with a synthesis paper and oral presentation,
will be a brochure informing student athletes on the risks of a lack of sleep on their academic and
athletic performance. It will be distributed to student athletes to make it easily accessible. This
will synthesize the literature review (information on the topic) with the data collection and thesis
(raising awareness of the risks of sleep deficiency) by informing student athletes why sleep is so
important. This is a useful tool that is easily accessible to student athletes.
The target audience for this product is student athletes. This is because the benefits of
knowledge on the effects of sleep deficiency on student athletes is most useful to student athletes
who can apply it to their own life.

Logistical Considerations:
Resources required for the product will include print and permission to share the final
product. Printing entails the funds needed to have paper copies of the brochures to distribute. A
timeline will be added that outlines the data collection, product development, and audience
distribution.

Approval:

__________________________ ___________________________
Student Signature G/T Resource Teacher Signature

________________________
Mentor/Advisor Signature

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 References
Andrade, A., Bevilacqua, G. G., Coimbra, D. R., Pereira, F. S., & Brandt, R. (2016). Sleep
quality and quantity on exercise performance, cognition and mood states in adolescent
athletes. Journal of Sleep Research,26, 26-26. doi:10.1111/jsr.55_12618. Accessed 19
April 2019.

Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep. (2018, December 08). Retrieved from

https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Understanding-Sleep.
Accessed 19 April 2019.

C. Czeisler, Personal Communication, February 16th, 2019.

Hamilton, J. (2013, October 17). Brains Sweep Themselves Clean Of Toxins During Sleep.
Retrieved from
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/10/18/236211811/brains-sweep-
themselves-clean-of-toxins-during-sleep. Accessed 19 April 2019.

Kirschen, G. W., Jones, J. J., & Hale, L. (2018). The Impact of Sleep Duration on Performance
Among Competitive Athletes. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 1. Doi:
10.1097/jsm.0000000000000622. Accessed 19 April 2019.

Kowalski, K. M. (2015, March). Need those ZZZZZs: young night owls still require plenty of
sleep! Odyssey, 24(3), 30+. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A408647863/GPS?u=glen20233&sid=GPS&xid=f11
87d36. Accessed 19 April 2019.

Mah, C. D., Mah, K. E., Kezirian, E.J., Dement, W. C.. (2011). The Effects of Sleep Extension
on the Athletic Performance of Collegiate Basketball Players. Effects of Sleep Extension
on Athletic Performance, Vol. 34. DOI: 10.5665. Accessed 19 April 2019.

Scarpello, G. (2010, February). Lack of sleep could be trouble for CTE students. Techniques,
85(2), 8+. Retrieved from
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A219177415/GPS?u=glen20233&sid=GPS&xid=3bc
8246f. Accessed 19 April 2019.

The Science of Sleep: Understanding What Happens When You Sleep. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy-sleep/sleep-science/the-science-of-
sleep-nderstanding-what-happens-when-you-sleep. Accessed 19 April 2019.