The Importance of Sleep in Athletic Performance - A Systematic Review

Authors

  • Julia Białeta Central Teaching Hospital of Medical University of Łódź ul. Pomorska 251; 92-213 Łódź; Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3140-4060
  • Katarzyna Rowińska University Clinical Hospital No. 2 of Medical University of Łódź ul. Żeromskiego 113; 90-549 Łódź; Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7921-7167
  • Karolina Siembab Maria Skłodowska-Curie Regional Specialist Hospital in Zgierz ul. Parzęczewska 35, 95-100 Zgierz; Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9934-8741
  • Michalina Jurkiewicz Central Teaching Hospital of Medical University of Łódź ul. Pomorska 251; 92-213 Łódź; Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3318-121X
  • Agnieszka Napieralska University Clinical Hospital No. 2 of Medical University of Łódź ul. Żeromskiego 113; 90-549 Łódź; Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1163-8283
  • Wiktor Garbarczyk University Clinical Hospital No. 2 of Medical University of Łódź ul. Żeromskiego 113; 90-549 Łódź; Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4107-6795
  • Albert Kapla NZOZ Gajda-Med Medical Group; ul. Teofila Kwiatkowskiego 19; 06-102; Pułtusk; Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0887-0825
  • Alicja Černohorská Central Teaching Hospital of Medical University of Łódź ul. Pomorska 251; 92-213 Łódź; Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8230-2891
  • Wiktoria Pysiewicz Norbert Barlicki Memorial Teaching Hospital No. 1 of the Medical University of Lodz ul. dr. Stefana Kopcińskiego 22, 90-153; Łódź; Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3245-8609
  • Daria Bednarczyk Central Clinical Hospital of Medical University of Warsaw ul. Banacha 1A, 02-097; Warsaw; Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1006-4955

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2025.38.58162

Keywords

sleep, athletic performance, sleep interventions, systematic review

Abstract

Introduction

Sleep influences the well-being of every person, but it is especially important for athletes1. This review analyses the impact that quality and duration of sleep has on physical and cognitive performance in athletes. It also examines the strategies for optimizing sleep, such as extending the duration of sleep, adding naps during the day and educating athletes about sleep hygiene.

Results

Research conclusively states that insufficient sleep impairs physical endurance and strength, reduces coordination and increases injury risk2–5. It impacts cognitive processes – decreases focus, diminishes strategic thinking and slows reaction times6.

Evidence reveals that sleep interventions such as prolonging sleep duration, napping during the day and blue-enriched light exposure lead to improving sleep in athletes7.

Summary

By integrating findings from a range of studies, this review emphasizes the role of sleep as an indispensable pillar of sports performance optimization. It offers practical implications and limitations to the analyzed studies.

References

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Published

2025-02-11

How to Cite

1.
BIAŁETA, Julia, ROWIŃSKA, Katarzyna, SIEMBAB, Karolina, JURKIEWICZ , Michalina, NAPIERALSKA, Agnieszka, GARBARCZYK, Wiktor, KAPLA, Albert, ČERNOHORSKÁ, Alicja, PYSIEWICZ, Wiktoria and BEDNARCZYK, Daria. The Importance of Sleep in Athletic Performance - A Systematic Review. Quality in Sport. Online. 11 February 2025. Vol. 38, p. 58162. [Accessed 28 June 2025]. DOI 10.12775/QS.2025.38.58162.

Issue

Vol. 38 (2025)

Section

Health Sciences

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Julia Białeta, Katarzyna Rowińska, Karolina Siembab, Michalina Jurkiewicz , Agnieszka Napieralska, Wiktor Garbarczyk, Albert Kapla, Alicja Černohorská, Wiktoria Pysiewicz, Daria Bednarczyk

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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