How Elite Athletes ACTUALLY Sleep

• There’s a variation between individual and team sports. Individual athletes tend to sleep around 6.5 hours, while team sport athletes may get closer to 7 hours per night.

Sleep Quality:

• Despite striving for longer sleep, some athletes struggle with sleep quality due to:
  • Travel: Disrupts sleep schedules.
  • Competition nerves: Anxiety can make falling asleep difficult.
  • Training schedules: Early mornings or late-night sessions can impact sleep cycles.

Strategies for Better Sleep:

• Napping: Power naps of 20-30 minutes can improve alertness and performance.
• Sleep hygiene: Consistent sleep schedules, relaxing bedtime routines, and optimized sleep environments all contribute to better quality sleep.
• Light management: Avoiding blue light from electronics before bed promotes melatonin production for better sleep onset.
• Tracking sleep: Wearable devices can help athletes monitor sleep patterns and identify areas for improvement.

Resources for Further Reading:

• Sleep Foundation article on sleep and athletic performance: [sleep athletic performance ON Sleep Foundation sleepfoundation.org]
• Gatorade Sports Science Institute on sleep and elite athletes: [sleep and the elite athlete ON Gatorade Sports Science Institute gssiweb.org]
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