Participants’ characteristics by age group.

ObjectiveThis observational study aimed to provide insight into the sleep behaviors, chronotypes, and sleep needs of athletes by examining children, adolescents, and adult soccer players from different competitive levels.MethodsThe study included 864 soccer players (n = 747 males) of various age groups [median age: 17 (interquartile range: 14–20)]. The participants completed an online questionnaire that included demographic questions, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ), and a question about their sleep needs.ResultsAdult players had a higher prevalence of poor sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and sleep deficit than children and teenagers (p s = −0.59 to −0.17, p ConclusionNearly half of the adult players had poor sleep quality. Additionally, one-third of the children, and almost half of the teenagers and adult players, had a sleep deficit. Players with poor sleep quality, an evening chronotype, excessive daytime sleepiness, and a later training time might be at a higher risk of experiencing a sleep deficit.