Relationship between Sleep Quality, Perceived Stress, Hydration, and Blood Pressure in HBCU Athletes

Department

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

4-17-2026

Abstract

Background Previous research at an HBCU showed ~55% of male and female athletes across multiple sports have elevated, Stage 1, or Stage 2 hypertension, and that Low Energy Availability (LEA) is associated with the condition. The objective is to examine the relationship between perceived sleep, stress, hydration, and systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) in collegiate athletes. Methods Football players (n = 152) had BP measured across five blocks of time (January 2023-November 2024). Self-reported sleep, stress, and hydration scores were collected via electronic survey. Correlations were performed between the three scores, SBP, and DBP (X + SD). Results Hypertension levels across the five blocks ranged from 15.2 - 37%. Stage 2 hypertensive cases made up 8.7% to 21.1% of participants. Only significant correlations are presented. In April 2023, as stress levels increased, DBP increased (n = 55; r = 0.267; p = 0.048), and as dehydration increased, DBP decreased (n = 50; r = -0.312; p = 0.027). In September 2023, as sleep quality deteriorated, SBP increased (n = 9; r = -0.79; p = 0.01), and as dehydration increased, SBP increased (n=8; r = -0.71; p = 0.048). In November 2023, as dehydration increased, SBP increased (n = 38; r = 0.46; p = 0.0034). Conclusion Collegiate athletes are typically considered healthy; however, most time blocks showed significant numbers of participants with elevated hypertension. Evidence suggests that poor sleep and increased stress could increase SBP or DBP in football players; hydration results were inconsistent with hypothesized outcomes.

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