Why athletes should make sleep a priority in their daily training

In 2008, Usain Bolt broke records at the Beijing Olympics by being the first person in history to hold both the 100m and 200m world records. By the 2012 Olympics, Bolt became the first man in history to win 6 Olympic gold medals in sprinting.

So what does Bolt consider to be the most important part of his daily training regime? None other than sleep.

“Sleep is extremely important to me – I need to rest and recover in order for the training I do to be absorbed by my body” – Usain Bolt.

At Fatigue Science we know how important sleep is to an athletes performance, reaction time and recovery time. Our fatigue measurement technology is used by professional sports teams such as the Vancouver Canucks to ensure enough sleep is incorporated into athletes training regimes.

So how much sleep do the professionals get? And how can sleep reduction effect your performance.

Key Infographic Takeaways

  • By incorporating adequate sleep into their routine, tennis players get a 42% boost in hitting accuracy
  • Sleep improves split-second decision making ability by 4.3%
  • After 4 days of restricted sleep, athletes maximum bench press drops 20lbs
  • Roger Federer gets 11 to 12 hours sleep per night
  • Lebron James gets 12 hours of sleep per night

 

infographic_sleep-to-be-an-allstar

RELATED POSTS

,

Rest and Relaxation- The First Step for Poor Sleepers 

One important job as a performance coach in sports is to balance both the training and recovery with our players. Currently, I am an NHL strength and conditioning coach for the St. Louis Blues, but my role extends beyond the weight room and hockey rink. Sleep is a major component of recovery, and supporting a good night’s rest is everything in sport. Our athletes are perpetually exploring ways of sustaining elite performances. Sleep is arguably the best method available to do so. With endless stressors, high-pressure scenarios, and chaotic travel schedules, it can be difficult to find the off switch when the time comes for sleep. In this article, I share my some personal "bio hacks" for resting more effectively. I also explain why we need to consider more effective strategies for rest, with the ultimate goal of setting ourselves up for higher quality sleep.
Young Man Sleeping On Bed With Eyes Closed | Fatigue Science
,

The Power of Baseline Sleep Data

For years, Fatigue Science has observed an alarming trend: athletes who are not receiving deep, restorative sleep are struggling to stay healthy and perform at their best. While the research and appreciation of sleep is growing, appraising the sleep quality and quantity of athletes requires an actual measurement of athletes. In this article, we will show you how sleep screening works and what can be learned from performing a baseline reading of athletes at the beginning of their season.
FS Blog | CBC News Chicago Cubs Win screen capture
,

CBC News: Chicago Cubs’ win and the benefits of sleep and performance management in elite sports

In light of the Cubs’ spectacular win, Fatigue Science talks to CBC News about the role sleep and performance management is playing in helping elite sports teams attain the ultimate prize.