SLEEP AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

Sleep deprivation or fragmentation may impact upon psychological, hormonal and glucose metabolism of elite and recreational athletes.  The effect of sleep on performance is now part of the conventional wisdom of sport science. The physiology and pathology associated with sleep are important as potential causes of poor performance. The physiology includes the basics of sleep and sleep hygiene. The pathology is what may be present to a minimal or mild degree but will impact on sleep hygiene and performance the following day. The interaction between sleep and athletic performance is evident by published papers but the question is raised as how to apply this information in the athletic setting. An evidence based approach is difficult to be established due to the complex physiology of sleep and the intervariability among athletes. Sleep should be incorporated in the training programme based on the individualised needs of athletes whereas all athletes should be investigated for potent sleep disorders.