Features of somnological characteristics of athletes specializing in the discipline of triathlon with cross-country skiing in the aspect of sexual dimorphism

The purpose of the study – to identify and substantiate the differences in the somnological characteristics between female and male athletes during the training process in modern polyathlon. Research methods and organization: somnography, control method based on the assessment of acoustic parameters of sleep, methodology for determining the tendency to anxiety by J. Taylor in the adaptation of V. G. Norakidze, analysis of competition protocols, methods of mathematical statistics. Participants were highly qualified polyathlon athletes. Over the course of 14 days, the athletes performed planned physical training during a sports camp. Sleep registration was performed every night. Research results and conclusions. Differences in the values of somnological characteristics between men and women were identified both at the beginning of the training camps and in the dynamics of the studied parameters under the influence of planned loads. From the beginning of the training camps, the sleep quality of men was notably higher. During the training process, the sleep parameters of men improved or remained within the normal range; for women, the changes were less pronounced or remained outside the normal range. The identified differences align with the low performance increase in the women's team compared to the men's team, as well as with the established tendency of female athletes towards anxiety, which may affect recovery after changing locations and in the lead-up to competitions. Thus, the heterogeneity of changes in somnological characteristics among athletes of different genders may be justified, in particular, by the tendency towards anxiety and the tolerance to the imposed physical load.