The Relationship Between Sleep Quality, Fatigue Level, and Athlete Performance During Competition Period

Abstract

Sleep quality, fatigue, and physical performance are three interrelated constructs that play a decisive role in determining athletic achievement, particularly during periods of competitive stress. This study aimed to examine the relationships among sleep quality, fatigue level, and athletic performance in student-athletes at the Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences, Universitas Negeri Makassar. A quantitative correlational design was employed involving 85 student-athletes selected through purposive sampling during the active competition period. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), fatigue level was measured with the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), and athletic performance was evaluated through standardized sport-specific performance tests. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis. The results demonstrated that poor sleep quality was significantly associated with higher fatigue scores (r = 0.621, p < 0.001), and both sleep quality (r = -0.584, p < 0.001) and fatigue level (r = -0.612, p < 0.001) were significantly and negatively correlated with athlete performance. Multiple regression analysis revealed that sleep quality and fatigue level together explained 54.3% of the variance in athletic performance (R² = 0.543, F = 48.72, p < 0.001). These findings underscore the critical importance of sleep management and fatigue monitoring as integral components of athlete preparation and training periodization programs. Coaches and sports scientists are encouraged to incorporate evidence-based sleep hygiene protocols and fatigue management strategies into their coaching practice.