Association of Sleep Apnea and Depressive Symptoms among Gymnastic in Karachi, A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

OSA is a form of sleep-disordered breathing condition commonly seen in adults, particularly those in middle or later stages of life, and often goes undiagnosed (1) In children, Sleep-related breathing disorders encompasses a range of respiratory disturbances during sleep, from minor airflow disruptions to more serious forms like Upper airway resistance during sleep (2) Nocturnal apnea involves repeated narrowing and collapse of the pharyngeal airway during sleep, resulting in disrupted sleep and low oxygen levels.(3) Depression is a widespread mental health disorder, known for its high recurrence and significant impact on daily functioning, affecting around 300 million people worldwide.To find the connection of sleep apnea and depressive symptoms among gymnastics in karachi. Depression was reported by 83.9% of gymnasts, with moderate to severe symptoms more common in males, those aged 21-25, and individuals with <1 year of experience. Functional difficulty affected 17.9%. The most common symptom was fatigue (44.6%), and the strongest correlation was with low self-worth (r = 0.66). All PHQ-9 items were statistically significant (p < 0.05), and the tool showed good reliability (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.788).Depression and functional difficulty are prevalent among young, less experienced male gymnasts, highlighting the need for early screening and targeted mental health support. This study is principle to evaluate the gymnastics with sleep apnea and depressive symptoms, a cross sectional study among 168 gymnastics both male and female will be conducted from age 19-35 ih different gyms and fitness centers. Participants will have recruited through online and physical survey forms after the participants have given their consent. The data will interpret and analyze through SPSS which is the most updated form and t test will be applied.