Abstract
Smartphone use among students and athletes, particularly before bedtime, may interfere with sleep quality and physical readiness. This study aimed to synthesize scientific evidence regarding the association between smartphone use, sleep quality, and physical performance among students and athletes. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Literature searches were performed in the PubMed and Scopus databases for primary studies published from January 2022 to June 2026. Eligible studies were selected based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria and analyzed using narrative and thematic synthesis. Nine articles met the eligibility criteria. The synthesis identified three main themes: sleep disturbances, reduced physical performance and physical activity, and psychological impacts among athletes. Smartphone use at night, particularly within 60–120 minutes before bedtime, was associated with increased sleep latency, reduced sleep duration and efficiency, and greater daytime sleepiness. These conditions were also associated with reductions in jumping ability, sprint speed, agility, reaction time, physical activity, and physical fitness. Smartphone use before bedtime should be managed through screen-time restrictions and the implementation of sleep hygiene practices to support sleep quality and physical performance among students and athletes.