New research from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and Colorado State University has found that college football players may face a significantly higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) than the general population.
“This is not a condition we typically associate with younger individuals,” said lead author Dr. Josiane Broussard. “That may be a reason college football players often fly under the radar and remain undiagnosed.”
Using a wearable device called the WatchPAT 300, researchers collected sleep data from 58 athletes. Those who had OSA generally had a higher body mass index (BMI), though neck circumference didn’t differ significantly.
While athletes are often viewed as physically fit, Broussard cautions that their muscle mass and activity levels don’t guarantee protection against OSA.
“If they're 18 or 20 and are never screened, they may live with this condition for decades without treatment,” she said.
OSA, a condition that disrupts breathing during sleep, is linked to serious health risks including heart disease, stroke, and even dementia. Co-author Dr. Raj Trikha emphasized,
“Untreated OSA leads to increased risk in virtually every chronic disease.”
The study highlights the need for simple and scalable screening tools—like pairing questionnaires with wearable devices—as full sleep studies are rarely accessible to young athletes.
“This could be a revolutionary tactic to screen young athletes—or really anybody—for their risk of OSA,” Trikha said.
The researchers hope their findings lead to greater awareness and earlier intervention for this often-overlooked condition in student-athletes.
Discover more details on the study here!