The Power of Sleep

Interesting post published by TeamGB about the power of sleep and how can help athletes to perform better at the Olympics. Dreams, the Official Sleep Partner of Team GB and the UK’s leading bed specialist, is supporting Team GB with investment into athletes’ sleep for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Some of the findings about benefits of napping:

A post-lunch nap that lasts between 30-60 minutes has a beneficial effect on physical performance, boosts cognitive performance and reduces perceived fatigue

To avoid the impact of sleep inertia on performance, wait 60 minutes after a nap before undertaking sporting activity (sleep inertia is a temporary disorientation and decline in performance after awakening from sleep)

Napping can provide a supplemental benefit for sport performance, even for those who achieve optimal night-time sleep routines.

Have a look to the review article published by Mesas et. al (2023).

Mesas AE, Núñez de Arenas-Arroyo S, Martinez-Vizcaino V, et al. Is daytime napping an effective strategy to improve sport-related cognitive and physical performance and reduce fatigue? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Sports Med 2023;57:417–426. Download here.

Check out more articles about sleep and performance here.