biostudies-literatureUrbanski PKNarodowa Agencja Wymiany Akademickiej6822https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11862188biostudies-literatureUnknown15(1)This research evaluated the relation and fluctuations in stress and sleep quality in athletes with disabilities (AwD) during the period before and after the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Assessments were conducted every 3 months over a period of 10 months, encompassing three distinct pandemic phases. Results showed significant variations in perceived stress (F = 9.41, ηp² = 0.09, p < 0.01) and sleep quality (F = 10.55, ηp² = 0.10, p < 0.001), with initial increased stress and poorer sleep, improving at the midpoint. Sleep quality components varied over time (p < 0.05), except for sleep medication use and daytime dysfunction. Results indicated a direct relationship where poor sleep potentially causes increased stress (β = 0.24, p < 0.01; β = 0.1Scientific reportsSleep and stress in athletes with disabilities around the 2021 Tokyo Paralympic games during the pandemic.PMC11862188BPN/GIN/2021/1/00013/U/00001Ng KBrewer BWTomczak MStarczewski MUrbanski PKTasiemski TfalseSleep and stress in athletes with disabilities around the 2021 Tokyo Paralympic games during the pandemic.This research evaluated the relation and fluctuations in stress and sleep quality in athletes with disabilities (AwD) during the period before and after the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Assessments were conducted every 3 months over a period of 10 months, encompassing three distinct pandemic phases. Results showed significant variations in perceived stress (F = 9.41, ηp² = 0.09, p < 0.01) and sleep quality (F = 10.55, ηp² = 0.10, p < 0.001), with initial increased stress and poorer sleep, improving at the midpoint. Sleep quality components varied over time (p < 0.05), except for sleep medication use and daytime dysfunction. Results indicated a direct relationship where poor sleep potentially causes increased stress (β = 0.24, p < 0.01; β = 0.12025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Feb2025-04-05T14:39:26.049Z2025-04-05T14:39:26.049ZS-EPMC118621884000069110.1038/s41598-024-80178-8