Effect of mattress on actigraphy-based sleep quality and perceived recovery in top-level athletes: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a new mattress on sleep quality, perceived pain and recovery, and physical performance in top-level athletes. Twenty-five volleyball players were randomized to either an intervention group (INT, n = 13) or a control group (CON, n = 12). Sleep data were collected by actigraphy and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), perceived pain was evaluated by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), perceived recovery with the Total Quality Recovery scale (TQR), and physical performance with the Counter Movement Jump (CMJ) and Reaction Time (RT) tests. All evaluations were carried out during the competitive season at baseline condition (PRE) and four weeks later (POST). All actigraph parameters, PSQI, and NRS values improved for INT but not for CON while no differences were observed in CMJ and RT for both groups. TQR was higher for INT at POST compared to CON. A 4-weeks use of high-quality mattress could be beneficial for players’ sleep, pain, and recovery.