Analysis of sleep quality and its impact on body composition on the pre-competition day in natural bodybuilders

Authors

  • Miguel Alarcón-Rivera Escuela de Ciencias del Deporte y Actividad Física, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Talca, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8341-5567
  • Felipe Montecino Rojas Escuela de Ciencias del Deporte y Actividad Física, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Talca, Chile.
  • Eduardo Guzmán-Muñoz Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Talca, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7001-9004
  • Cristian Salazar-Orellana Escuela de Ciencias del Deporte y Actividad Física, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Talca, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3431-3203
  • Eduar Gaete Valdés Gimnasio Nutre y Entrena, Talca, Chile. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-8249-1882
  • Diego Durán Araya Universidad de Aconcagua (Chile)
  • Pablo Luna-Villouta Departamento de Educación Física, Facultad de Educación, Universidad de Concepción, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2825-0303
  • César Fáundez-Casanova Pedagogía en Educación Física, Facultad de Educación, Universidad Católica del Maule, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4501-4169
  • Héctor Fuentes-Barría Facultad de odontología, Universidad Andres Bello, Concepción, Chile. Universidad Arturo Prat, Iquique, Chile. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0774-0848
  • Raúl Aguilera-Eguía Departamento de Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Chile.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v66.111445

Keywords:

bodybuilding, muscle hypertrophy, peak week, physical conditioning, Sleep quality

Abstract

Introduction: Bodybuilding is a sport that evaluates athletes based on their muscle mass, symmetry, and muscle definition, unlike conventional sports that are usually based on athletic performance in competition.

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between fat mass (FM) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) through bioimpedance with sleep quality in Chilean natural bodybuilders on pre-competition day.

Methodology: Twenty-six natural bodybuilders participated in the WNBF Chilean championship. The objective was to evaluate body composition to obtain data regarding SMM and FM. Additionally, the PSQI was applied.

Results: significant relationships were obtained with SMM and PSQI (p= 0, 02, R = -0,38, R²= 0.14) and a moderate correlation between FM and PSQI (p= 0.04, R = 0.40, R²= 0.15). Sleep efficiency showed a negative correlation (p= 0.001, R = -0.55, R²= 0.31) with FM and a positive correlation (p = 0.002, R = 0.58, R²= 0.34) with SMM. Sleep duration showed a negative correlation (p = 0.024, R = -0.39, R²= 0.15) with FM and a positive correlation (p = 0.021, R = 0.45, R²= 0.20) with SMM.

Discussion: A lack of sufficient sleep has been linked to adverse effects on body composition, including reduced fat loss and muscle gain. Additionally, insufficient sleep has been associated with a decline in athletic performance.

Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that poor sleep quality is associated with higher body fat and better sleep quality with an higher skeletal muscle mass, underscoring the significance of sleep for achieving optimal body composition and performance in natural bodybuilders.

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Published

11-03-2025

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Original Research Article

How to Cite

Alarcón-Rivera, M., Montecino Rojas, F., Guzmán-Muñoz, E., Salazar-Orellana, C., Gaete Valdés, E., Durán Araya, D., Luna-Villouta, P., Fáundez-Casanova, C., Fuentes-Barría, H., & Aguilera-Eguía, R. (2025). Analysis of sleep quality and its impact on body composition on the pre-competition day in natural bodybuilders. Retos, 66, 395-402. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v66.111445