The Influence of Competitive Level on Sleep Quality and Quality of Life in Adolescent Soccer Players

Introduction Soccer is one of the most popular sports worldwide and is a leading physical activity choice among adolescents. This study aims to investigate how the competitive level of adolescent soccer players impacts their sleep quality and quality of life. Methods A total of 5,692 adolescents aged 11 to 19 years were classified based on their physical activity levels and competitive engagement. Participants were categorized as inactive, non-competitive athletes, or soccer players competing at local, regional, or national levels. An anonymous online questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity level, competition level, sleep quality, and quality of life. Significance was set at p < 0.05. The Chi-square (χ²) test was employed to examine frequency distributions. Comparisons based on competitive level were performed using Generalized Linear Models, adjusting for age, BMI, municipality size, and economic level. When significant differences were identified, post hoc analyses were conducted with a Bonferroni adjustment. Results Girls reported lower sleep quality and quality of life compared to boys. Soccer players exhibited better sleep quality and life satisfaction than inactive individuals and non-competitive athletes, independent of competitive level (p > 0.05 Bonferroni pairwise comparison). Among boys, regional-level soccer players showed the highest sleep quality and quality of life. For girls, national-level soccer players reported the best outcomes in both parameters. Conclusion Adolescent soccer players, regardless of their competitive level, demonstrate better sleep quality and quality of life than inactive individuals or non-competitive athletes. In general, higher levels of competition correlate with improved sleep quality and quality of life, particularly among female athletes.