The Secret Weapon… Sleep
In recent years, Stanford University’s Center for Sleep Sciences and Medicine has been at the leading edge of examining the sleep-sport performance connection.➀ Researchers there have conducted studies with several groups of Stanford student-athletes, examining the effects of extended sleep on athletic performance.➁
In fact, numerous studies have shown that even a small amount of sleep deprivation can dramatically decrease athletic performance.➂ The reasons for this are not entirely clear, however research points to the role of glucose metabolism and cortisol (a stress hormone) production as a major factor.
Results of studies on sleep deprivation found that sleep deprived athletes don’t metabolize glucose very efficiently, and have higher levels of cortisol, which has been linked to memory impairment, age-related insulin resistance, and impaired recovery.
So if sleep has been discovered to enhance sports performance, then sleep will undoubtedly improve your everyday life. Sleep deprivation is proven to produce negative effects both physically and mentally. SomniResonance wants to help you get your “A” game on and be competitive not just in the arena, but with life.
➁ http://www.theinsomniablog.com/the_insomnia_blog/2012/11/sports-secret-weapon-sleep.html
➂ http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/anatomyandphysiology/a/Athletes-Sleep.htm