Athletes constantly are looking for ways to maximize their performance. If you are someone that trains regularly, whether an athlete or a frequent exerciser, recovery is critical to your overall performance. Many athletes use recovery tactics such as nutritional supplements, compression garments, neuromuscular stimulators, heat or cooling treatments and massage. Perhaps, the most underrated recovery tool that we can utilize is SLEEP!
Sleep is an integral part of recovery, if not the most important tool for successful recovery. The many benefits of sleep include improving hormonal regulation, mood, cognition and performance. Having a huge effect on muscle protein synthesis, it allows the athlete to maximize their gains; proper recovery increases muscle gains. If athletes wish to maximize their performance they must pay special attention to their sleep quality. The factors below should all be considered by those who wish to improve the quality of their sleep: