2024-08-10 06:30:28
For athletes, sleep is critical for recovery and performance. However, according to A study published in late June 20241 Nearly two-thirds of Swiss athletes competing in 88 sports reported poor sleep quality. Results: 9% of the athletes slept less than 6 hours a day, 30% of the athletes were dissatisfied with their sleep, 17% of the athletes had difficulty falling asleep in less than 30 minutes, and 6% of the athletes used sleeping pills more than once a week. Additionally, sleep disturbances, difficulty sleeping, obstructive sleep apnea, and increased daytime sleepiness may be a cause. A scientific study published in 20232 On sleep and performance among professional athletes.
The first study1 explains that while health and sleep quality are under intense scrutiny from coaches, teams, organizations, and most importantly, the athletes themselves, athletes face unique challenges. Training demands, increased risk of injury, ongoing stress, strain, travel-related factors (e.g., physical and mental fatigue from long-distance travel, circadian rhythm changes)… these factors have the potential to directly or indirectly impact sleep quality and, therefore, the performance of athletes.
Top athletes must have a regular sleep schedule Scientific research1In training, this can improve performance and achieve better results faster. However, training sessions should be structured in a way that avoids exhausting the athlete: training duration, frequency, intensity and load can really quickly affect sleep health if it is infrequent or too frequent.
Irregular training can actually alter progress, but it can also lead to fatigue and incorrect form. A good rhythm and healthy sleep can reduce the risk of injury and illness while improving recovery.Sleep is actually a critical component of what we call “invisible training,” which brings together all the activities an athlete does outside of training that are invisible but contribute to performance. Sleep can therefore be an important asset in optimizing performance and preventing injuries. Among professional athletes, this risk remains elevated, which may predispose them to sleep problems.
Insufficient or disrupted sleep can affect recovery, training, and competition, and it can also affect an athlete’s mental state. To win, you need it! When top athletes find themselves under tremendous pressure, quality sleep is essential to coping with stress. In fact, according to The study was conducted in 20241Mental health and sleep are inextricably linked: the two traits have a close bidirectional relationship, and both independently impact an athlete’s training and performance. Poor mental health can lead to sleep problems, and vice versa.
Frequent travel is also an inherent reality that professional athletes need to consider. Distance, direction, and time zone changes are all factors that can affect sleep health and performance. Sleep quality while traveling may be a protective factor for athletes against the harmful effects of travel.
Today, sleep health plays an important role in the training, recovery, performance and well-being of professional athletes, but they are also a population that is highly susceptible to poor sleep health due to the impact of severe travel and stress that comes with high-level performance. To compensate for these effects, professional athletes need to adjust their daily routines to accommodate changes in training, travel and competition throughout the year.
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