P122 Various factors determine the impact of Caffeine on Athletes’ sleep

Abstract Introduction Athletes are drawn to caffeine due to its perceived performance-enhancing effects. However, it can lead to undesirable effects such as sleeplessness and insomnia. This systematic review aimed to evaluate this potential impact by exploring the literature and existing clinical trials. Methods A systematic search was performed across Web of Science, Cinahl, PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus, and Scienceopen for randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials published from 1980 to December 2023. Full-text screening and quality assessment using RoB-2 tool were performed by two independent researchers. Due to heterogeneity in outcome measures and various reporting strategies, a meta-analysis was not feasible. Results Out of 2050 articles, nine studies were deemed eligible for inclusion in this review. Some included studies reported significant reductions or increases in sleep quality following caffeine consumption, while others found no significant changes. Similarly, findings regarding sleep duration, awakenings, sleep efficiency, and sleep onset latency varied across studies. Studies also reported conflicting results regarding insomnia. Studies were categorized as low risk of bias, except for two as unclear, and one as high risk. Discussion Overall, caffeine may influence the sleep of athletically trained populations in various ways, dependent on factors such as the timing of caffeine intake relative to exercise and sleep time, and individual characteristics such as habitual caffeine consumption and body weight. This review provides insight into the complex relationship between caffeine supplementation and sleep in athletes, highlighting the need for nuanced understanding and tailored recommendations.