Interferência do sono no rendimento e desempenho de paratletas

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep is a key factor in the physical, cognitive, and psychological recovery of athletes, directly impacting their performance. In parasports, this relationship becomes even more relevant, as conditions such as chronic pain, spasticity, mobility limitations, and circadian misalignment affect sleep quality. Therefore, understanding the interactions between sleep, chronotype, and performance is essential to enhance recovery and optimize outcomes for para-athletes. Objective: To assess the impact of sleep quality on the performance of para-athletes through a literature review. Methods: The searches were carried out in the SCIELO, PUBMED and BVS databases, using the descriptors “sleep” AND “para athlete*”. Studies in Portuguese and English, published in the last five years (2020-2025), were selected. Results: The review showed that sleep quality and duration directly influence the physical, cognitive, and psychological performance of para-athletes. Adequate sleep routines are associated with reduced fatigue, greater focus, and improved recovery, while factors such as pain, medication use, and neuromotor alterations may impair rest. The findings reinforce sleep as a key determinant of athletic performance and well-being in para-sport. Conclusion: Sleep proved to be a determining factor for the performance and recovery of para-athletes, influencing essential physiological and cognitive aspects. Adequate sleep patterns enhance performance and emotional stability, highlighting the need for systematic monitoring and optimization strategies in training. Although the literature remains limited, it emphasizes sleep’s potential as a tool to improve performance and health in Paralympic sport.