Cronotipo de jovens jogadores de futebol de 14 a 17 anos

Abstract

Introduction: The circadian rhythm is a fundamental biological process for organisms' adaptation to environmental variations, regulated primarily by the sleep-wake cycle and influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The individual manifestation of this rhythm is known as chronotype, which determines the preference for activities at certain times of the day (morning, afternoon, or in between). In adolescents, the circadian rhythm undergoes natural changes during puberty, such as delayed melatonin release, resulting in changes in sleep patterns and increased morning sleepiness. Understanding the chronotype in young athletes can contribute to optimizing sports performance. Objective: To analyze the chronotype of young soccer players aged 14 to 17, aiming to investigate the prevalence of different chronotypes among young athletes in the under-15 and under-17 youth categories. Methods: Cross-sectional study of young male soccer players, aged 14 to 17, from the under-15 and under-17 categories of Brazilian clubs. Data were collected through an online questionnaire (Google Forms) with personal information and the Morning-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) to identify chronotypes. Statistical analysis was performed using Google spreadsheets and IBM SPSS software (version 25.0), using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, and percentages), the chi-square test (p < 0.05) to assess associations between variables, and odds ratios to assess the likelihood of each age group having a preference for certain sleep times. Results: 61 responses from young athletes in the U-15 (n=34) and U-17 (n=27) youth teams from two clubs in Rio Grande do Norte were analyzed. All of them train in the afternoon. The majority (88.5%) have more than three years of soccer experience. There was a significant association between category and preferred bedtime (p = 0.020), with U-15 athletes 4.41 times more likely to sleep until 10:15 PM than U-17 athletes. No significant differences were observed in wake-up time (p = 0.105). Regarding chronotype, 70.49% of the players were classified as morning people and 29.51% as intermediate, with no cases of evening chronotype. Conclusion: The findings reinforce the importance of considering chronotype in sports planning, especially at youth levels. Aligning biological rhythm and training schedules can benefit young athletes' performance and adaptation, contributing to more effective and individualized strategies.