Sleep Interventions may Enhance Athletic and Cognitive Performance among sportsmen

Remarkably, sleep extension and napping emerged as the most effective interventions to enhance both sleep quality and performance. These interventions not only improved athletes' physical performance but also bolstered cognitive functions. Mindfulness techniques and light manipulation, though promising, require further investigation to establish their efficacy conclusively.

On the other hand, some interventions yielded less impactful results. Sleep hygiene practices, which encompassed habits like avoiding electronic devices before bedtime, and cold water immersion demonstrated no significant effects on sleep quality or performance. However, the researchers noted that the conclusions regarding these strategies are drawn from a limited number of studies, urging for more comprehensive research.

This review provides a stepping stone towards crafting evidence-based strategies to ensure that athletes are not just well-trained but also well-rested, pushing the boundaries of what the human body can achieve in the world of sports.

Reference: 

Cunha, L. A., Costa, J. A., Marques, E. A., Brito, J., Lastella, M., & Figueiredo, P. (2023). The Impact of Sleep Interventions on Athletic Performance: A Systematic Review. In Sports Medicine - Open (Vol. 9, Issue 1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00599-z