Focus on sleep cycles can benefit athletes
In a recent article we highlighted the benefit of sleep for elite athletes, noting that many experts believe it to be of equal importance to training and diet. Given that the difference between success and failure for elite athletes could come down to fractions of a second or millimeters, the benefit of proper sleep and recovery is of huge importance to athletes. Derek-Jan Dijk professor of sleep and physiology at the University of Surrey, sums up the importance of sleep by stating that it should valued as highly as exercise.
We should look at sleep as an active process. Getting enough sleep is a positive thing which will help you perform in all aspects of life. It may by that extra sleep leads to more effective training routines and helps us learn patterns better. Practice makes perfect – and that happens more quickly if you get enough sleep
It is accepted that the area of sleep may not get the attention it deserves and this is probably due to a number of grey areas that surround the concept. For example, we are not exactly sure what happens when we sleep, or how much sleep the body needs. Different people need different amounts of sleep and even this can vary at times in their lives. There may be a sense that sleep is not fully understood and that the variables mentioned have made it difficult to incorporate into an athlete’s overall programme in the past.
Nick Littlehales puts forward idea of 90-minute cycle
However, one man who has come up with an approach that is currently finding favour with even the most celebrated athletes, is Nick Littlehales whose approach is based on 90-minute sleep cycles. A former professional golfer in England, Littlehales became the International Sales and Marketing Director of bedroom product company Slumberland, and then Chairman of the UK Sleep Council. In the late 1990s he used his business expertise and sporting knowledge to look at ways in which sleep could be improved to help sport and set out to change people’s mindsets. He recognised that the traditional idea of getting eight hours uninterrupted sleep from the same time every day is unrealistic for most athletes. Travel, training programmes and different times for competing mean that an athlete can’t stick to such a rigid routine. Taking such factors into account, Littlehales believes the idea of 90-minute cycles, incorporating daytime naps is the way forward. Having worked with well-known stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bradley Wiggins, along with many of England’s Premier League stars, he believes that organizing sleep in such cycles allows a flexibility that ensures you can always get sufficient sleep. In an interview with CNN on the subject he remarked
If you build a sleep routine around 90-minute cycles it gives a clear indication subconsciously – it’s not a routine you have to follow every day, but you’ve got something to focus on and it allows you to be flexible and it’s so easy to follow
Using his own routine as an example, he has a 90-minute slowdown period before bed and attempts to be asleep at 11pm, taking five 90-minute cycles before he wakes up at 6.30am. Should this process be disrupted and he is out late, rather than rushing to bed, he will still take his 90-minute slowdown and aim to be asleep at the start of the next cycle at 12.30am. However, he will still wake at the same time of 6.30am. Naturally, six hours sleep may not be enough for an individual but to make up for this deficit, Littlehales looks to the idea of an afternoon nap or siesta which he became more familiar with when he worked with Real Madrid.
We’ve got three natural sleep periods every day, and we need to use them. So if you’ve missed out overnight, try catching up with a controlled 20-minute nap between 1-3 pm or 5-7 pm
The secret to quality sleep
Littlehales points out that getting a sufficient amount of quality sleep is hampered by the fact that we are never taught how to sleep, while the modern lifestyle’s obsession with electronic devices has completely disrupted our natural sleep rhythms. Disrupted sleep patterns can lead to a lot of frustration, not only for athletes, but Littlehales believes that it is a relatively easy problem to address.
Although it’s a very simple process, once focused on it you realize that you can actually be spending a lot of your valuable time wasting it trying to sleep
According to Littlehales, a good night’s sleep can be achieved by following these guidelines.
1. Wake at sunrise sleep when it is dark and cooler
2. Work out if you perform better in the morning or afternoon prepare to compensate
3. Aim for five 90 minute cycles of sleep, nap if you can’t get it in one continuous stream
4. Learn to regulate your exposure to sunlight in the morning and cut out bright light at night
5. Wind down 90 minutes before you want to sleep
6. Get the right bed, sleep without a pillow
7. Keep you bedroom at a temperature between 16-18 degrees
Sleep should be given more attention
Ensuring athletes get the best value out of sleep is important and Littlehales in is no doubt that it is something that should be given more attention by coaches and clubs in the future. In an interview with the Telegraph newspaper Littehales said
Many clubs make massive investments of millions of pounds in their players but don’t consider their sleep. Often footballers are young men who leave home before they know how to manage their routines or the physical and mental demands of their sport – from fatigue and pressure to hotels, travel and flights. These things all add up.
Sleep can affect performance, energy, mental focus and concentration. And quality sleep can bring more consistent performances, faster recovery times, higher motivation levels and better decision-making. But the first time many athletes think about it is when their head hits the pillow
References
Sport sleep coach’s top tips to improve your slumber by Gary Morley, CNN
Sleeping longer ‘helps athletes reach peak performance’
The sleep coach to England’s football stars on how to get the best night’s sleep by Sue Dunlevy
Ronaldo’s ‘sleep coach’ on how YOU can optimise your time in bed by Belinda Grant Geary
Meet the man who helps superstar footballers sleep by Mark Bailey
How to sleep better
About Metrifit
Metrifit is an athlete monitoring system that gathers subjective and objective information from both coaches and athletes in a simple but effective manner with intelligent visualization helping coaches and athletes to act on that data. Why not have a look at our Ready to Perform product and gain insight on the physical and mental state of your athletes through our daily wellbeing questionnaire? To find out more visit our Metrifit Product Overview page or get in touch for a free demo.