Sex differences in the relationships among sleep, circadian timing, mental well-being, and performance in elite athletes

Recommendations regarding well-being and performance for athletes are typically biased by a male-dominated evidence base in sports medicine and exercise science. The thesis demonstrated a risk of poorer mental health, especially when experiencing sleep and circadian disruption, for female elite athletes relative to male elite athletes. The thesis also highlighted the importance of methodological rigour in athletes by measuring circadian rhythms objectively and the need for improved research on the menstrual cycle and its impacts. Overall, the thesis magnified the benefits of investigating sex differences, sex as a moderator, and sex-specific questions in elite athletes.