Great sleep is essential for everyone, but even more so for athletes. During sleep, our brains and bodies are able to recover from use and come back stronger than ever. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, chronic loss of sleep can negatively impact athletic performance, cognitive function, and even our physiology. If you want to retain your best physical performance for as long as possible, you need continuous, restorative sleep. Here are just a few of the ways that great sleep can help boost your athletic performance.
Accuracy & Speed/ Reaction Time
Studies conducted by the National Sleep Foundation have found that a significant loss of sleep can have similar effects on reaction time as a blood alcohol content of .05-.08 would. The legal limit of operating a vehicle, that sort of physical hindrance is obviously not conducive to optimal athletic performance.
Decision Making
In another study conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, this time examining major league baseball players, it was found that an athlete’s decision-making skills were faster and more accurate at the beginning of the season than at the end of the season. The most likely cause of the difference being fatigue and a lack of recovery-focused sleep.
Injury Rates/Career Length
That same American Academy of Sleep Medicine study also found that fatigue led to shortened careers for many major league athletes.
Additional research conducted by several leading medical groups, including the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, found that a lack of sleep also contributed to higher incidences of athletic injuries in adolescents.
In short, the impacts of a poor night of sleep go far beyond daytime drowsiness. The quality of your sleep can directly impact the quality of your athletic performance, both in terms of ability and duration. You can work with our team to discuss the quality of your sleep and how you can improve your athletic performance with a mattress designed for athletes. Contact us or shop the Accel Sleep™-Hybrid Mattress.
