― H E A L T H ―
U
"Up to twelve hours a day”: Roger Federer has o en said in interviews that sleep is one of the secrets of his success. “Sleep is an essential part of my training regimen”, he says. “That’s when the body recovers and prepares for future challenges on court.” Sleep is important due to the many different ways it affects the mind and body. For one thing, it plays an essential role in muscle recovery. During sleep, the body releases growth hormones that help repair muscle tissue damaged during intense training sessions. This helps athletes recover faster and maximises their muscle-building potential. Sleep is also crucial for consolidating memory and learning motor skills. Athletes have to be constantly sharpening their techniques and strategies to excel in their sport, and sleep plays a key role in the process. Studies have shown that sleep
improves the brain’s ability to consolidate motor skills, enabling athletes to react faster and more accurately during matches. In addition, sleep is closely linked to mood regulation and mental wellbeing. Not getting enough rest can o en result in increased stress, anxiety and irritability, and this can have a negative impact on sports performance. Adequate sleep, on the other hand, contributes to better stress management and a positive mental attitude. According to the Association of Tennis Professionals, sportsmen and women who get less than eight hours’ sleep a night are 68% more likely to injure themselves. As you can see, what happens at night is just as important for a match as what happens on court during the day.
Novak Djokovic “Sleep is one of the pillars of my
performance on court. I make sure I stick to a regular sleep routine because I know it has a direct effect on my ability to play at my best.”
Serena Williams “I make sure I sleep at least eight hours a night. Sleep is crucial for my mental and physical recovery, helping me to be competitive in every match I play.”
Naomi Osaka “I take my sleep very seriously. It’s the key to keeping my concentration and energy levels up during tournaments. If I didn’t get enough sleep, I wouldn’t be able to compete at top level.”
- 12 -
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software