Sleep as an ‘Ergogenic Supplement’: The Role of Sleep Quality, Duration and Patterns in Preventing Sports Injuries - A Systematic Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2026.89.69824Keywords
sleep, sports injury, injury prevention, sleep duration, sleep quality, sleep patterns, athletic performance, systematic reviewAbstract
BACKGROUND: Sleep is recognized as a key factor influencing athletic performance and injury prevention. Despite growing interest in sleep as a modifiable risk factor, the relationship between sleep parameters and the risk of sports injuries requires systematic evaluation.
AIM: This study focuses on presenting the relationship between the duration, quality and patterns of sleep and the occurrence and prevention of sports injuries based on current knowledge.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: This systematic review was conducted using multiple databases, including ScienceDirect, PubMed and Google Scholar. After removing duplicates, 165 unique articles compatible with the study topic were identified. The 31 most relevant articles were selected and used to analyse the association between sleep parameters and the effects of sports injuries in athlete populations.
RESULTS: Strong evidence has been identified linking insufficient sleep to an increased risk of sports injuries in many groups of athletes. In addition, the study confirmed that poor sleep quality was associated with a significantly higher likelihood of injury. The study confirmed mechanisms connecting sleep and injury include impaired cognitive function, slowed reaction time, weakened neuromuscular control, increased inflammation and impaired tissue regeneration.
CONCLUSIONS: Evidence shows that sleep has a protective effect against injuries when it is sufficiently long and of adequate quality. Healthcare professionals, coaches and athletes should prioritise sleep hygiene measures as part of comprehensive injury prevention strategies.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Oliwia Bartkowska, Joanna Banatkiewicz, Emilia Deka, Jan Domińczak, Sofia Czarnecka, Gabriela Ewa Łuczyńska, Adam Dobosz, Antoni Wojnowski, Karolina Babik, Hanna Maria Bojanowska
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