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The effect of a 40-min nap opportunity was investigated during the day following a late evening simulated soccer match. Twelve male amateur soccer players (23 ± 3 years; 77.3 ± 5.3 kg; 1.76 ± 0.04 m) performed the Loughborough-intermittent-shuttle test at 21h00 and the following day they completed the sleepiness scale after either a nonap (N0) or 40-min nap (N40) opportunity that began at 14h00. At 17h00, participants performed the 5-m shuttle run test (5mSRT) (6 × 30-s with 35-s in-between; best distance (BD) and total distance (TD) were calculated). After performing the 5mSRT, they provided their rating of the perceived exertion (RPE) and rated their muscle soreness. Sleepiness scores were significantly lower in N40 in comparison with N0 (P < 0.05). A significant increase of TD (+64.5 m) and BD (+9.6 m) after N40 compared to N0 was observed (P < 0.05). The improved performance was associated with reduced levels of muscle soreness and lower RPE. In conclusion, a daytime 40-min nap opportunity after a late evening simulated soccer match improves short-term repetitive maximal performance in soccer players, and has positive effects on perception of sleepiness, muscle soreness, and RPE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Suspension of sports activities during the covid-19 pandemic led to unhealthy lifestyles such as harmful eating habits, low physical activity levels, and mood changes. Objectives: We examined the effects of the covid-19 pandemic on the mood states, physical activity levels, and eating habits of athletes and non-athletes during the pandemic in Iran. Methods: A total of 257 elite athletes (n = 82) and non-athletes (n = 175) (29.95 ± 9.1 years) voluntarily participated in a web-based survey. Eating disorder symptoms and physical activity levels were evaluated using the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) was used to evaluate the mood status of the participants. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare differences between groups. The significance was set at P≤0.05. Results: It was demonstrated that the physical activity levels of athletes were superior to that of the non-athlete controls (P = 0.001), but non-athletes revealed healthier dietary habits than elite athletes (P = 0.049). It was also observed that the mood status of elite athletes was not significantly different from non-athletes (P = 0.71). Conclusions: As shown in the results section, athletes had more favorable levels of physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic than their fellow non-athletes, but this superiority had no positive effect on their moods. Moreover, non-athletes had healthier dietary habits than non-athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]