The relationship between sleep quality and dietary habits in apprentice jockeys
Abstract
Introduction: Adequate sleep is vital for young athletes, and diet may play a role in sleep quality. This is especially relevant for apprentice jockeys who face unique physical and nutritional demands. Objective: To examine the relationship between dietary habits and sleep quality in apprentice jockeys at the Turkish Jockey Club Ekrem Kurt Apprentice Training Center. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male apprentice jockeys (15-18 years) completed 7-day food and fluid intake records. Sleep quality was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Anthropometric measurements were collected. Associations between nutrient intake and PSQI components were analyzed with Spearman’s correlation. Results: The mean PSQI score was 4.96 ± 2.84, and 41.7% of participants were poor sleepers. Total energy and macronutrient intake were not associated with overall PSQI. However, certain nutrients showed meaningful relationships with specific sleep components. Higher zinc intake, especially in the evening, was linked to better subjective sleep quality, while higher evening fat intake was associated with poorer sleep. Protein and fat intake showed negative correlations with subjective sleep quality. Evening carbohydrate proportion was related to fewer sleep disturbances. Conclusions: Although overall dietary intake did not affect global sleep quality, selected nutrients and meal timing were associated with specific aspects of sleep.
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