New Research Reveals Higher Rates of Sleep Apnea in Young Female Athletes

Recent findings presented at the American College of Cardiology's Care of the Athletic Heart 2025 conference highlight an unexpected prevalence of sleep apnea among young female athletes. While obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is well-recognized in older populations and in male athletes, its occurrence in younger females has been largely underexplored. The study focused on 68 collegiate female athletes from two U.S. universities, mainly comprising softball, volleyball, and basketball players. The average age of participants was 19 years.

OSA is a common sleep disorder affecting around 18 million Americans, characterized by repeated episodes of airway obstruction during sleep, leading to breathing pauses, loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, and night-time choking or gasping. These symptoms often overlap with general sleep deprivation, but distinguishing between the two is vital because untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of hypertension, arrhythmias, heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.

Lead researcher Dr. Austin Rim explained that athletes often exhibit subtle signs of sleep apnea, such as difficulty feeling rested despite adequate sleep, irritability, and concentration issues. Accurate diagnosis through sleep testing is essential, as treatments like CPAP machines, mandibular devices, or surgery can significantly enhance quality of life and possibly reduce long-term cardiovascular risks.

The study found that the majority of participants reported poor sleep quality, with 22% experiencing trouble staying awake and most showing mild sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index between 2.1 and 7.7 events per hour). None of the athletes had severe sleep apnea. Higher pulse wave velocity, an indicator of arterial stiffness and cardiovascular stress, was observed in those with even mild sleep apnea. Interestingly, age and lean body mass emerged as independent predictors of sleep apnea among these young women, suggesting that more intense training might contribute to higher risk.

While this study provides important insights, its small sample size limits broad applicability. Future research should include longitudinal and multi-site studies, direct comparisons between genders, and assessments of whether early treatment can mitigate cardiovascular risk. Understanding and addressing sleep issues in young athletes could be a key step toward improving their overall health and athletic performance.