How Does Sleep Affect Runners' Performance?

Many of the runners on the team that I coach tend to start freaking out the day before their marathons because they're worried they won't be able to fall asleep. I always tell them not to worry because most people (even professional runners) don't sleep very well the night before a big race and, most importantly, one sleepless night is very unlikely to hurt their performance.

But it's a different story if runners consistently suffer from sleep deprivation. About.com Sports Medicine Guide Elizabeth Quinn reported on a recent study that shows that getting more sleep leads to better sports performance for all types of athletes.

Why does sleep help improve performance? Researchers speculate that it's because growth hormone is released during deep sleep and the hormone helps with muscle building and repairing. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation slows the release of growth hormone.

Get tips on how to improve your sleep habits.

More:

• 10 Ways to Better Sleep
• How to Boost Your Energy
• What to Do the Day Before Your Marathon