RE:ACTIVE PILLOW

Evaluation of the effect of the Re:Active mattress on the sleep quality of professional athletes

*THE EFFECTS OF A MATTRES ON ACTIGRAPHY-BASED SLEEP QUALITY IN PROFESSIONAL VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS Authors: J.A.Vitale¹, F.Devetag², S. Colnago³, G. Modanesi⁴, G. Lombardi⁵, A. La Torre¹⁻³¹ IRCCS Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Milan, Italy; ²Department of Public Health, Neuroscience, Experimental and Forensic, Univeristy of Pavia, Italy; ³Vero Volley, Mona, Italy; ⁴B&T S.p.A. - Dorelan, Forlì, Italy; ⁵Department of Biomedical (data presented at SISMES 2017)

How the study was conducted

• Sample: 25 professional volleyball players (13 women / 12 men, age 25.6 ± 2.3, BMI 21.7 ± 1.1)

• Duration: 4 weeks

• Methodology: Objective sleep monitoring (actigraphy) and subjective evaluation using validated questionnaires over three different periods (week 1, week 2, week 3). Participants were divided into two groups: a control group and an intervention group. The intervention group had their mattress replaced with the Dorelan Re:Active after the first week, while the control group continued using their usual mattress.

• Indicators: sleep latency (SL), sleep fragmentation (FI), visual and auditory reactivity, perceived back and lumbar pain (NRS), perceived sleep quality (PSQI), perceived recovery quality (TQR).

Objective results (actigraphy)

• -50% sleep latency (SL), from approximately 18 to 8 minutes in the final weeks.
• -20% sleep fragmentation (FI), showing a decrease in micro-awakenings and nocturnal movements, resulting in more continuous sleep.
• +15% reactivity, with a significant improvement in response times.

Subjective results (self-assessment questionnaire)

• -50% perceived back and lumbar pain (NRS).
• +30% perceived recovery quality (TQR), improving from “poor” to “very good,” a key result for athletes.
• +25% perceived sleep quality (PSQI), thanks to fewer nighttime awakenings and faster sleep onset.

The reported values represent the average variation of the Re:Active group during the observation period. Individual results may vary based on age, habits, and personal conditions. The research was conducted on professional athletes, but the measured parameters are universal, as athletes serve as a “stress test” under demanding conditions.