P096 Sleep Behaviours and Nutritional Knowledge in Amateur and Professional Combat Sport Athletes

Abstract Introduction Combat sports is a term applied to various competitive contact sports involving two competitors engaging in a bout or contest under a specific ruleset. Little is known about combat sports athletes’ sleep and nutritional knowledge. This study aimed to assess (i) sleep behaviours, (ii) alcohol and shiftwork disorders and (iii) the nutritional knowledge of combat sports athletes. Methods Participants completed various demographic questions and estimations of their body mass management practices and validated surveys, including the Athlete Sleep Behaviour Questionnaire (ASBQ), Shiftwork Disorder Screening Questionnaire (SWD), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the Abridged Nutrition for Sports Knowledge Questionnaire (A-NSKQ). Results A total of 858 combat sports athletes completed the survey, 79% male, height of 177 ± 10 (cm), weight of 79 ± 15 (kgs). Sleep quality was average for all combat sport types, risk prevalence of shiftwork disorder at 11%. Amateur strikers, boxers and BJJ athletes consumed significantly more alcohol. Most combat sports athletes reduce weight for competition, with an overall nutritional knowledge average of 55%. Conclusion This study highlights a critical gap in the knowledge and practices of combat sport athletes in relation to sleep behaviours and disorders, alcohol consumption, and nutritional knowledge, emphasising the need for targeted educational interventions.