Sleep and Athletes

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2022

Publication Title

OPER TECH SPORTS MED

Abstract

Sleep is recognized as an essential component to optimize health and human performance, and as such the topic is of increasing interest to athletes. Yet, the sleep of athletes is affected by multiple sports-specific, and societal factors. Hence the recent emergence of the important role of sleep science in athlete health and performance. This review focuses on the fundamentals of sleep physiology and elaborates on the affects sleep has on athlete health and performance. Despite sports practitioners recognizing the importance of sleep on health and performance, findings report that insufficient sleep, and poor sleep quality are prevalent among athletic populations. This paper will describe sleep in athletes, define sleep characteristics, discuss the impact of sleep restriction following travel and competition, and strategies to mitigate sleep difficulties. Sleep is arguably the most undervalued pillar of health and performance.

Volume

30

Issue

1

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