How poor sleep can slow you down
Missing small amounts of sleep may not make or break your marathon time, but it can change your performance in small ways that add up.
While adequate sleep can give you extra energy, lack of sleep or poor quality sleep can hinder athletic performance. Light in the evening hours and mental stimulation from social media prior to bedtime are additional culprits in compromising your performance.
Sleep loss or poor sleep quality can impact performance in all sports, from slowing down marathoners to decreasing free throw percentages in basketball players, which can impact how you place in a game or race. But, because sleep greatly impacts motivation and decision-making, healthcare providers often see the biggest detriment in poor sleep for those in endurance and high-vigilance sports, such as:
- Running
- Cycling
- Tennis
- Sailing
- Aiming sports, like darts, basketball, and football
With these sports, athletes often hit a wall at some point and motivation helps them push through. Without good sleep, that motivation often is not what it needs to be. Also, sleep loss can decrease vigilance, concentration, and decision-making, taking a toll on aim and quick-thinking. And studies have shown that these effects can show up after just one night of poor sleep.
But there is good news!
But there’s no need to despair if you’re worried that sleep problems will forever change your game. Studies have shown that just a few weeks of improved sleep can drastically up your game. In basketball players, free throw percentages have shown to increase almost 10% after a period of sleep extension, and in tennis players, first serve accuracy improved up to 42%.
By treating your sleep disorder and getting better, consolidated sleep, you’ll be less fatigued, feel more motivated, and be ready to cross the finish line.