As an athlete, you know how to bring the heat to your training regime. But bring too much (literal) heat to your sleep routine, and you risk sabotaging your sports-specific goals.
“There’s a temperature sweet-spot for optimal sleep and exercise recovery,” says Pete McCall, an exercise physiologist. And slumbering in a room outside of that range may cause your recovery to suffer, he says.
It may also lead to performance issues. One 2020 review published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine found that inadequate sleep can decrease reaction time and accuracy, as well as worsen judgment and decision making. But logging Zzz’s isn’t just important before a long day on the trail, it’s also essential following a day of exercise.
Why Athletes Need Sleep, Explained
When you exercise, you create tiny microscopic tears in your muscle fibers, McCall explains. As concerning as that sounds, the fibers repair themselves while you sleep—and become stronger through the process. Without adequate rest, your recovery is hindered.
One 2023 review published in Current Issues in Sports Science found that a lack of…
