Quality sleep means... high performance for every athlete!

Many of the world's greatest athletes eat, sleep, breathe and literally live for their sport. But did you know that in addition to physical and mental preparation, sleep plays a crucial role in athletic performance? Quality sleep for top performance The quality and quantity of sleep for an athlete is often the "key" to victory or a high performance. A continuous and deep sleep allows the body to take time to consolidate the information received in the memory during the day and at the same time, to release hormones. The famous tennis star, Serena Williams, as she has stated in her interviews, usually chooses to sleep early around 7 pm! A study in the journal SLEEP confirms the role of sleep in the performance of athletes, with the results showing that the athlete's ability to make decisions (decision making) is significantly reduced after poor sleep. In contrast, the results showed increased accuracy in well-rested athletes who had slept well. Quality sleep for adequate rest But the value of sleep does not only concern the preparation before a sporting activity. Exercise depletes energy, fluids and catalyzes muscles. Hydration and proper management are a key part of recovery after a hard workout. In fact, good food and restful and quality sleep immediately after training or competition determine muscle rebuilding and help maintain endurance, speed and accuracy. Other research suggests that sleep deprivation increases levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Sleep deprivation has also been shown to reduce the production of glycogen and carbohydrates that are stored for energy use during physical activity. In short, insufficient sleep increases the likelihood of fatigue, low energy, and poor match focus, while also slowing post-game recovery.\ The leading sports developments characterize quality sleep as a "super-power" for every athlete, since they believe that it gives overall:

• Better muscle function & reduction of injuries
• Precision in movements & burst of speed
• Perfect reflexes & instant reaction time
• Sleep means good health

The above figures do not, however, concern exclusively those who play championships. Even amateur athletes who want to comfortably enjoy their favorite sport, while taking care of their body, need enough quality sleep. Sports performance is not a matter of winning or losing a game, but a matter of health. Sleep is the way to a good physical condition, pleasant mood, perfect physical and mental well-being. What are the basic tips that ensure a beneficial sleep for every athlete? The Orion Strom team, with its vast experience in sleep matters, suggests for those who exercise:

• Make sleep an integral part of your training schedule, just like the hours you spend in the gym
• Increase sleep duration in the days before an important match or sports tournament
• Prefer a stable sleep schedule, including 8-9 hours of sleep, with a standard alarm even on the days you have a day off
• Get quality rest at noon with daily naps lasting 15'-30'