Importance of Sleep

Are you looking for a way to be healthier on a daily basis? Are you looking for an edge in sports performance? You could take supplements or work out more often. Obviously, you could train harder and receive better coaching. But have you ever thought of just getting a good night’s rest? Did you know that sleep quality is associated with reduced injury risk, improved performance, and better mental health?

In a study focusing on adolescent athletes, students who slept less than 8 hours per night were nearly 2 x more likely to sustain an injury in high school competition. Additionally, results show that following a sleep restriction, athlete physical performance requires a higher physiological demand, ultimately leading athletes in the study to exhaustion faster than athletes who slept without restriction. Athletes who get insufficient sleep consistently also show higher rates of anxiety, leading to increased difficulty coping with new environmental stressors and challenges - a key component to performance for every athlete.

In short, getting a good night’s sleep can help athletes of all ages avoid injury, perform at a higher level, and reduce stress and anxiety. If you are dealing with a sports related injury or looking for an edge in sports performance in the Cincinnati area, contact us today!

Charest J and Grandner MA. Sleep and athletic performance: impacts on physical performance, mental performance, injury risk and recovery, and mental health. Sleep Med Clin. 2020; 15(1):41-57