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Objectives: While sleep research in athletes is extensive, no research has investigated sleep in sports officials during a competitive season. This study explored the (a) self-reported quantity and quality of sleep obtained by sports officials according to the time of competition (day or evening) and (b) impact of reduced sleep on perceived decision-making ability. Design: Sports officials (n = 371) from various sporting codes completed an online questionnaire that evaluated self-reported sleep quantity and quality on habitual nights, before competition, and after competition, as well as perceived decision-making constructs. Results: With sleep restriction defined as less than 7 h of sleep, mixed-effects logistic regression revealed that the estimated probability of reporting reduced sleep quantity increased (p< 0.05) on habitual nights (0.58), before competition (0.48), and after competition (0.56). The estimated probability of reporting poor sleep quality was 0.01-0.04 across all nights. When considering time of competition (day or evening), reduced sleep quantity was experienced after evening competition (odds ratio [OR] = 3.33, p < 0.05), while poorer sleep quality (p< 0.05) was experienced following day (OR = 2.1) and evening (OR = 12.46) competition compared to habitual nights. Furthermore, the impact of reduced sleep on perceived decision-making constructs was negative, with the estimated probability of reporting impaired perceived decision-making between 0.13 and 0.21. Conclusion: Overall, sports officials are vulnerable to reduced quantity and quality of sleep before and after competition, with impaired perceived decision-making ability following nights of less than average sleep.

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of shiftwork among young adults poses significant health risks, primarily due to its disruptive effects on sleep, nutrition and physical activity. Addressing these risks necessitates the development of tailored, evidence‐based resources to support these key health behaviours. Participatory research approaches, engaging those with relevant lived experience (i.e., co‐design) are a novel and effective approach in developing these resources. As such, the aim of the present study was to explore whether sleep, nutrition and physical activity resources for young shiftworkers could be developed using participatory, co‐design approaches and how co‐designers would rate both the approaches used and the resulting resources. Methods: A participatory approach engaged co‐designers (young, experienced or previous shiftworkers; workplace health and safety specialists; science communicators and academic experts) to complete 2–3 online questionnaires and participate in 1–2 online workshops, to co‐design sleep, nutrition and physical activity resources for young shiftworkers. Following resource development, co‐designers assessed both the participatory approach and the resulting resources, through an online questionnaire, which included the Public and Patient Engagement Evaluation Tool (PPEET). Results: Co‐designers (n = 48) participated in the development of sleep, nutrition and physical activity resources for young shiftworkers. Co‐designers evaluated the participatory approach positively, with a mean rating across all PPEET items of 4.7 (±0.2) on a 5‐point Likert scale. Co‐designers also provided positive ratings for the resources, with the majority (91.7%) either agreeing or strongly agreeing that they were user‐friendly, valuable and informative for young shiftworkers and would serve as a credible source of health information. Conclusion: By adopting a novel participatory approach, we successfully co‐designed sleep, nutrition and physical activity resources for young shiftworkers. Participatory approaches, including co‐design, should be considered when developing health interventions for shiftworkers, given the value of embedding lived experience to address their unique lifestyle challenges. Patient or Public Contribution: Co‐designers and/or people with relevant lived experience were involved in all project activities: conceptualisation, design, recruitment, data collection, data analysis, knowledge translation and output generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bedtime procrastination, the volitional delay of going to bed without any external circumstances causing the delay, is linked to multiple indicators of inadequate sleep. Intervening to reduce bedtime procrastination may be an important avenue to improve sleep outcomes, yet the phenomenon remains poorly understood in populations at risk for bedtime procrastination. New career starters, those who have graduated from tertiary education and started a new full‐time job within the past 12 months, may be susceptible to problematic bedtime procrastination and are at an opportune time for a 'fresh start' to change behaviour. Aims: The objectives of this study were to understand how bedtime procrastination is experienced and perceived by new career starters, to identify the enablers and barriers to behaviour change in new career starters and to explore themes for future interventions. Materials & Methods: Data were collected through in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with 28 participants. Results: Inductive thematic analysis was used to find seven themes: (1) negative feelings before and during bedtime procrastination; (2) wanting to versus knowing I shouldn't; (3) difficulty falling asleep; (4) influence of automatic processes; (5) consequences of bedtime procrastination; (6) lack of self‐control and (7) technology captures late‐night attention. Participants emphasised the need for me‐time, self‐negotiation to continue procrastinating and knowledge of the value of sleep. Discussion & Conclusion: Findings suggest that bedtime procrastination involves both reflective and automatic cognitive processes. Future interventions would benefit from a dual‐process approach, using cognitive and behavioural techniques to reduce bedtime procrastination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep are interrelated and may have a synergistic impact on health. This systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies aimed to evaluate the combined influence of different combinations of these behaviours on mortality risk and incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, diabetes, and mental health. Methods: Four online databases were used to identify studies from database inception to May 2023. Prospective cohort studies that examined how different combinations of physical activity, sedentary and sleep behaviours were associated with mortality and incident cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and mental health in adults were included. Random effects meta-analyses using the Der Simonian and Laird method were conducted. Results: Assessment of 4583 records resulted in twelve studies being included. Studies were qualitatively summarised and a sub-group of studies (n = 5) were meta-analysed. The most frequent combination of behaviours was duration of leisure time physical activity and sleep (n = 9), with all-cause mortality (n = 16), CVD mortality (n = 9) and cancer mortality (n = 7) the most frequently examined outcomes. Meta-analysis revealed that relative to High physical activity & Mid sleep, High physical activity and Short sleep was not associated with risk of all-cause mortality (RR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.97, 1.14), however Low physical activity and Short Sleep (RR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.24, 1.63), Low physical activity and Mid Sleep (RR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.12, 1.52), High physical activity and Long Sleep (RR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.32), and Low physical activity and Long Sleep were associated with risk of all-cause mortality (RR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.21, 2.20). Conclusions: High levels of physical activity may offset all-cause mortality risks associated with short sleep duration. Low levels of physical activity combined with short sleep duration and any level of physical activity in combination with long sleep duration appear to increase mortality risk. Currently there is limited evidence regarding how dimensions of physical activity, sedentary and sleep behaviours other than duration (e.g., quality, timing, type) are associated with future health status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To quantify the sleep/wake behaviors of adolescent, female basketball players and to examine the impact of daily training load on sleep/wake behaviors during a 14-day training camp. Methods: Elite, adolescent, female basketball players (N = 11) had their sleep/wake behaviors monitored using self-report sleep diaries and wrist-worn activity monitors during a 14-day training camp. Each day, players completed 1 to 5 training sessions (session duration: 114 [54] min). Training load was determined using the session rating of perceived exertion model in arbitrary units. Daily training loads were summated across sessions on each day and split into tertiles corresponding to low, moderate, and high training load categories, with rest days included as a separate category. Separate linear mixed models and effect size analyses were conducted to assess differences in sleep/wake behaviors among daily training load categories. Results: Sleep onset and offset times were delayed (P <.05) on rest days compared with training days. Time in bed and total sleep time were longer (P <.05) on rest days compared with training days. Players did not obtain the recommended 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night on training days. A moderate increase in sleep efficiency was evident during days with high training loads compared with low. Conclusions: Elite, adolescent, female basketball players did not consistently meet the sleep duration recommendations of 8 to 10 hours per night during a 14-day training camp. Rest days delayed sleep onset and offset times, resulting in longer sleep durations compared with training days. Sleep/wake behaviors were not impacted by variations in the training load administered to players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined adherence to dietary guidelines and symptoms of sleep problems (e.g. taking a long time to fall sleep or waking up early) and their associations in a sample of older Australian women (68–73 years of age). Design: This was a population-based cross-sectional study. Adherence to the dietary guidelines was measured using a validated FFQ and reported as a diet quality score. Symptoms of sleep problems were measured using five questions and a total score was derived. Multivariate linear regression was used to investigate the association between these outcomes, adjusted for the potential confounding influence of demographic (i.e. age and marital status) and lifestyle (i.e. physical activity, stress, alcohol intake, sleep medication use) variables. Setting: Respondents from the 1946–1951 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health who completed Survey 9 were included. Participants: Data from n 7956 older women (mean age ± sd: 70·8 ± 1·5) were included. Results: 70·2 % reported having at least one symptom and 20·5 % had between 3 and 5 symptoms of sleep problems (mean score ± sd: 1·4 ± 1·4, range 0–5). Adherence to dietary guidelines was poor with an average diet quality score of 56·9 ± 10·7 (range 0–100). Better adherence to dietary guidelines was associated with fewer sleep problem symptoms (β : –0·065, 95 % CI: –0·012, –0·005) and remained significant after adjusting for confounding influences. Conclusions: These findings support the evidence that adherence to dietary guidelines is associated with symptoms of sleep problems in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increased recognition that young people (<25 years) may occupy a carer role for family or others with health conditions or disability. This is often in addition to study and social activities. This means competing demands on time, and insufficient sleep. Our aim was to determine the contribution of caring duties to problematic sleep in young carers. A survey of Australian carers was conducted, including questions on demographics, characteristics of the carer and care recipient, and sleep quality and quantity. Participants were eligible if they reported sleep time <7 hr or dissatisfaction with their sleep, and were aged 15–24 years. A total of 110 participants (71.8%_female = 79, 15–17 years = 62, 18–24 years = 48) were included in analysis; 55.5% (n= 61) reporting dissatisfaction with their sleep and 62.7% (n= 69) reporting typically less than 7 hr sleep per night. Sleep duration was significantly shorter for those who reported 1–2 or ≥3 awakenings to provide care, compared with no awakenings (p_<.05). Sleep quality, as described by scores on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was also significantly worse for those who were frequently awoken by their care recipient (p <.05). Worrying about the care recipient, being woken by the care recipient, and listening out for the care recipient were the most frequently identified factors impacting on sleep. Young carers experience reduced sleep duration and poor sleep quality. Strategies to alleviate the burden of care work on young carer's sleep would benefit the health and safety of this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep inertia, the temporary period of impairment experienced upon waking, is a safety hazard that has been implicated in serious work-related incidents resulting in injuries as well as the loss of life and assets. As such, sleep inertia warrants formal management in industries where personnel are required to undertake their role soon after waking (e.g. emergency services, engineers, and health care). At present, there is a lack of practical, evidence-based guidance on how sleep inertia could be formally managed at an organizational level. We propose a preliminary framework for managing sleep inertia based on the translation of research findings into specific work procedure modifications/control mechanisms. Within the framework, work procedure modifications/control mechanisms to manage sleep inertia are organized into three levels: (1) modifications/controls that eliminate the chance of sleep inertia, (2) modifications/controls that reduce sleep inertia severity, and (3) modifications/controls that manage the risk of errors during sleep inertia. Practical considerations, limitations, and areas of further research are highlighted for each modification/control to help determine how readily each control measure could be implemented by industries at present. A guide for organizations to use this preliminary framework of sleep inertia management is put forward, as well as the next research priorities to strengthen the utility and evidence base of the framework. This paper is part of the Sleep and Circadian Rhythms: Management of Fatigue in Occupational Settings Collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedentary behavior at work contributes to detrimental cognitive outcomes (e.g., decreases in attention). The length of time that cognitive performance benefits are sustained following bouts of breaking up sitting (e.g., using sit-stand desks or walking) is not known. A narrative review of the literature was conducted using a systematic search strategy, with keywords related to breaking up sitting interventions in office-based environments and cognitive performance outcomes in the period immediately post the cessation of the breaking up sitting intervention. Three types of office-based breaking up sitting interventions were identified; 1) sit-stand desks, 2) walking desks and 3) cycling desks. From the eight studies which met the criteria, the impacts of these interventions on cognitive performance outcomes were mixed, with significant benefits in some studies and others reporting no benefit. Of the cognitive domains assessed, working memory, attention, and psychomotor function showed significant sustained improvement for up to 30 minutes post intervention. While there are benefits to a key set of cognitive performance domains following breaking up sitting interventions in office-based settings, no studies have evaluated whether benefits to cognitive performance persist for longer than 30 minutes after the breaking up sitting intervention. Furthermore, specific applications of these cognitive benefits to tasks outside of work (e.g., driving home from work) are unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prolonged sitting and inadequate sleep can impact driving performance. Therefore, objective knowledge of a driver's recent sitting and sleep history could help reduce safety risks. This study aimed to apply deep learning to raw accelerometry data collected during a simulated driving task to classify recent sitting and sleep history. Participants (n = 84, Mean ± SD age = 23.5 ± 4.8, 49% Female) completed a seven-day laboratory study. Raw accelerometry data were collected from a thigh-worn accelerometer during a 20-min simulated drive (8:10 h and 17:30 h each day). Two convolutional neural networks (CNNs; ResNet-18 and DixonNet) were trained to classify accelerometry data into four classes (sitting or breaking up sitting and 9-h or 5-h sleep). Accuracy was determined using five-fold cross-validation. ResNet-18 produced higher accuracy scores: 88.6 ± 1.3% for activity (compared to 77.2 ± 2.6% from DixonNet) and 88.6 ± 1.1% for sleep history (compared to 75.2 ± 2.6% from DixonNet). Class activation mapping revealed distinct patterns of movement and postural changes between classes. Findings demonstrate the suitability of CNNs in classifying sitting and sleep history using thigh-worn accelerometer data collected during a simulated drive. This approach has implications for the identification of drivers at risk of fatigue-related impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the unpredictable nature of working time arrangements, on-call workers experience regular disruption to sleep, particularly if woken by calls. Sleep disruption can impact long term physical and mental health, next day performance, and importantly, performance immediately after waking. To reduce the impact of performance impairments upon waking (i.e., reducing sleep inertia), research has investigated strategies to promote alertness (e.g., bright light, caffeine, and exercise). This review puts forth on-call workers who are likely to return to sleep after a call, it is also important to consider the impact of these sleep inertia countermeasures on subsequent sleep. Future research should build on the preliminary evidence base for sleep inertia countermeasures by examining the impact on subsequent sleep. This research is key for both supporting alertness and performance during a call ("switching on") and for allowing the on-call worker to return to sleep after a call ("switching off"). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of the present study were to (1) quantify sleep behaviours of soccer referees and (2) compare sleep behaviours between nights before training, before matches, and after matches. Fourteen professional soccer referees from the A-League (mean±SD; age 34 ± 4 years; sex: 11 males, 3 females) participated in this observational study. Referees' sleep behaviours were examined using sleep diaries and wrist activity monitors for 31 consecutive nights during the 2018–2019 A-League season. Separate linear mixed models were conducted to assess differences in sleep behaviours between nights before training, before matches, and after matches. On average, referees did not obtain recommended sleep durations across the in-season (mean±SD sleep duration: 6.4 h ± 0.7 h). Referees went to bed later, spent less time in bed, and slept significantly less post-matches compared to pre-training and pre-match nights (p< 0.05). Referees were particularly susceptible to inadequate sleep on nights following training and matches. The findings related to poor sleep behaviours highlight the importance of implementing monitoring systems to understand the sleep behaviours of referees, with further research encouraged to ascertain the efficacy of various sleep hygiene practices to optimise sleep in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: On-call research and guidance materials typically focus on 'traditional' on-call work (e.g., emergency services, healthcare). However, given the increasing prevalence of non-standard employment arrangements (e.g., gig work and casualisation), it is likely that a proportion of individuals who describe themselves as being on-call are not included in current on-call literature. This study therefore aimed to describe the current sociodemographic and work characteristics of Australian on-call workers. Methods: A survey of 2044 adults assessed sociodemographic and work arrangements. Of this population, 1057 individuals were workforce participants, who were asked to provide information regarding any on-call work they performed over the last three months, occupation type, weekly work hours, and the presence or absence of non-standard work conditions. Results: Of respondents who were working, 45.5% reported working at least one day on-call in the previous month. There was a high prevalence of on-call work in younger respondents (63.1% of participants aged 18–24 years), and those who worked multiple jobs and more weekly work hours. Additionally, high prevalence rates of on-call work were reported by machinery operators, drivers, community and personal service workers, sales workers, and high-level managers. Conclusions: These data suggest that on-call work is more prevalent than previously recorded and is likely to refer to a broad set of employment arrangements. Current classification systems may therefore be inadequate for population-level research. A taxonomy for the classification of on-call work is proposed, incorporating traditional on-call work, gig economy work, relief, or unscheduled work, and out of hours work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Inadequate sleep is a major public health concern, with large economic, health, and operational costs to Australia. Despite the implementation of public sleep health campaigns, approximately 40% of Australian adults do not obtain the recommended 7–9 hours of sleep. Thus, while people may know how much sleep is required, this knowledge may not be adequately translated to actual sleep behavior. Consequently, this study aims to examine the discrepancy between knowledge of sleep recommendations and self-reported sleep behaviors. Methods: A sample of 1265 Australian adults (54% female, aged 18–65) completed a phone interview as part of the 2017 National Social Survey and were asked questions about their knowledge of sleep guidelines and their actual sleep behavior. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with awareness of sleep recommendations and whether this corresponded with reported sleep duration. Results: The final sample size was 998. Although 94% of the sample were aware of current sleep recommendations, 23% of participants did not self-report regularly obtaining 7–9 h sleep per night. These participants were less likely to want to obtain more sleep, less likely to view sleep as a priority before stressful events, and less likely to self-report good health. Conclusion: Although a majority of the sample were aware of sleep recommendations, almost a quarter of the participants' behavior did not align with their knowledge. Future sleep health campaigns should consider options beyond education, including emphasis on practical strategies and modifiable lifestyle factors to assist individuals to obtain the recommended amount of sleep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Research has highlighted the significant impact that jet lag can have upon performance, health, and safety. International business travelers have an important role in economic growth; however, there is a lack of research investigating jet lag and jet-lag management in international business travelers. This study aimed to investigate international business travelers' use of jet-lag countermeasures. METHODS: International business travelers from Australia (N = 107) participated in a survey examining use of jet-lag countermeasures (pharmacological and nonpharmacological). Chi-squared tests were conducted examining the association between duration of stay and traveling experience on jet-lag countermeasure use. RESULTS: Most subjects had traveled for business for less than 15 yr and 57% reported taking between 1-4 trips annually. Durations of stay averaged 10 d (SD 13 d). Nonpharmacological countermeasure use was high. Pharmacological countermeasure use was less common. There were no significant associations between duration of stay and countermeasure implementation. Travel experience was only associated with nonpharmacological countermeasures after arrival home. CONCLUSION: Education programs delivered through businesses would be beneficial for providing information on jet lag, its implications, and recommended countermeasures to travelers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The sleep of individuals who provide unpaid care for children with medical needs is likely to be significantly impacted by this role. Sleep may be affected by the practical tasks undertaken during the night (e.g., administering medication), in addition to the emotional impact (e.g., worry, rumination). The aim of this systematic review was to examine the available literature on the impact of caregiving for children with medical needs on caregivers' sleep. Method: Electronic databases, including PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science, were searched using predetermined criteria. Studies were included if they used validated subjective or objective measures of caregiver sleep, in contexts where caregivers were providing care for one or more children with medical needs. Data on study population, research design, and outcome measures were extracted, and study quality was reviewed by two authors. Results: Search criteria produced 2,172 studies for screening. Based on inclusion criteria, 40 studies were included in the final review. Sleep of caregivers of children with medical needs was poorer than that for noncaregivers. Poor sleep included reduced sleep duration, impaired sleep efficiency, increased wake after sleep onset, and perceived poorer sleep quality. Conclusions: Providing unpaid care for children with medical needs is associated with sleep disturbances, including less total sleep, and poorer sleep quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When on‐call workers wake during the night to perform work duties, they may experience reduced alertness and impaired performance as a result of sleep inertia. After performing their duties, on‐call workers may have the opportunity to return to sleep. Thus, it is important that sleep inertia countermeasures do not affect subsequent sleep. Exercise may be a suitable countermeasure; however, the impact on subsequent sleep is untested. Healthy participants (n = 15) completed three conditions in a counterbalanced order: sedentary, low‐intensity exercise or high‐intensity exercise, performed for 2 min upon awakening. Sleep was recorded 2 hr later using polysomnography, the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale was administered to measure subjective sleepiness, and core body temperature was measured continuously. Results indicate there was no effect of condition on most sleep variables; however, three variables had small differences, with longer total sleep time (p =.006), higher sleep efficiency (p =.006) and shorter N3 latency (p <.001) in the low‐intensity exercise condition. There was no difference in subjective sleepiness (p =.124) or core body temperature (p =.216) 90 min after the exercise intervention. These results indicate that using a short burst of exercise to counteract sleep inertia when woken during the night may be a suitable countermeasure for on‐call workers who not only need to be alert upon waking but also need quality sleep when returning to bed. Future research could include participants of other ages and health statuses to investigate whether the results are generalizable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]