Sleep Disturbance in Athletes

Disturbed sleep is common in athletes, and sleep is one of the most useful recovery tools they have.

Poor sleep impairs physical and cognitive performance, slows recovery and tissue repair, is associated with a higher risk of illness and musculoskeletal injury, and is closely tied to mental health.

The link with mood runs both ways: anxiety and low mood disturb sleep, and poor sleep worsens anxiety, low mood and daytime function. Pain and injury also fragment sleep, so an athlete in rehabilitation may sleep poorly just when good sleep would help most.