Citation

Decker A, Aubertin P, Kriellaars D. Med. Probl. Perform. Art. 2019; 34(3): 125-131.

Affiliation

Ecole nationale de cirque, 8181 2e Avenue, Montréal, QC H1Z 4N9, Canada. Tel 431-891-5441. adam.nj.decker@gmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Science and Medicine)

DOI

10.21091/mppa.2019.3021

PMID

31482170

Abstract

AIMS: The development of elite circus artists requires extensive technical and artistic training, as well as a commensurate level of physical preparation in readiness for a demanding professional career as a performance artist. While sport research has identified the importance of monitoring sleep and fatigue in athletes to optimize performance and to prevent illness and injury, not a single study of circus artists exists. This study provides a longitudinal examination of sleep and fatigue in elite circus student-artists.

METHODS: 92 student-artists (60 male, 32 female) were analyzed at 4 strategic time points over a preparatory year. At each time point, sleep parameters (duration, quality and latency), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), wakefulness, and fatigue were obtained using questionnaires.

RESULTS: Student-artists attained an average nightly sleep of 8 hours, 27 minutes, exceeding the recommended durations for general populations and those self-reported in athletes. The majority of the artists also indicated acceptable sleep latency (87%) and quality (83%) scores. Sleep parameters remained consistent throughout the year despite significant variations in training load and fatigue. Sleep parameters were not substantial predictors of overall fatigue. Fatigue covaried with yearly variation in sessional training loads.

CONCLUSIONS: Although improvement in sleep could be postulated as a means to mitigate fatigue, it is likely that strategies aimed at optimizing the loading profile and additional recovery techniques be a first line approach.

Language: en