Sleep Your Way to Victory

When it comes to being alert, refreshed and in great form both mentally and physically, professional athletes must do whatever they can to stay at the top of their game. In professional sports, the difference between winning and losing, making a catch or missing a free throw is miniscule. At the upper levels of professional sports the competition is tough and athletes must stay in the best shape possible and take every advantage they can. Although it may seem like common sense, recent studies have proven to athletes and trainers that getting extra sleep can give them the edge they need to stay at the top of their game.

A recent study at Stanford University looked into whether getting more sleep provides a distinct advantage over sleeping the traditional eight hours a night. Researchers took 11 players from its men’s basketball squad and gave them a simple directive: Get at least 10 hours of sleep a night. Although the study only focused on 11 athletes, the results were conclusive. Athletes averaged 5% faster times in their 282-foot wind sprints and their free-throw percentages increased by a whopping 9%. Only if someone explained this trick to Shaq before he retired…

Now that we know athletes can improve their performance by getting extra sleep what happens if you’re sleep deprived? A recent study at the University of Chicago Medical School found that sleep-deprived people metabolize glucose less effectively and emitted stronger levels of stress hormones that have been known to impair memory, produce insulin resistance and reduce recovery time in athletes. Recovery time can make a huge difference especially for athletes that must be prepared to compete day in and day out.

Fast Facts About Sleep and Athletic Performance:

• Chronic sleep loss can lead to a 30-40% reduction in glucose metabolism

• After four days of restricted sleep, weight lifters lose 20 pounds off their maximum bench press

• Sleep improves split-second decision making by 4.3%

• Tennis player Roger Federer sleeps, on average, 11-12 hours a night

• Two days of sleep restriction can lead to a three times increase in lapses of memory and reactivity

Ready to sleep your way to victory? Even if you’re not a professional athlete making sure you get the recommended eight hours of sleep every night can go a long way towards improving your mental and physical performance. Getting that extra boost of energy every day can make a huge difference whether it’s in business, raising a family of being your creative best. Plus, sleeping is so wonderful in its own right, do you really need another reason to enjoy a few more hours beneath the sheets?