Sleep is defined as a physiological process in which an organism enters into a reversible state of full or partial unconsciousness. The interrelationship between sleep and exercise is a bidirectional one. It is well-established that sleep affects daytime functioning and physical exercise. Similarly, a plethora of evidence suggests that physical exercise can affect sleep quality and duration. This relationship is perhaps best illustrated in the case of physically active individuals (e.g., athletes) as they require more sleep than non-athletic individuals, and when they receive it, tend to have less fragmented sleep than non-physically active individuals. This bidirectional relationship between sleep and exercise is rarely linear.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the physiological relationship between sleep and exercise, it is important to consider the impact of additional factors such as external sleep disruption, and internal physiological parameters, as well as to consider various populations. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments implemented strict lockdown measures that reduced the physical activity of most individuals. Because of this, the training intensity of athletes diminished, and consequently, they experienced lower sleep quality. Besides the pleasure and function of providing rest, the physiological function of sleep in hormonal and metabolic regulation is crucial. Both psychological and physical health suffer when sufficient quality sleep is not attained. If physical activity exerts such powerful protective effects on our holistic health through sleep, it is crucial to deepen our understanding of this unique physiological relationship.
This Research Topic aims to further investigate the physiological relationship between sleep and exercise, as well as to gain a more thorough account of potential confounding variables. The articles within this collection will both add to the literature and provide practical guidance for athletes, coaches, and nonathletes looking to understand and improve sleep quality and exercise performance.
We intend to publish a wide variety of article types including, but not limited to, original research, reviews, mini-reviews, and perspectives. Some topics include, but are not limited to:
- The physiological effects of sleep deprivation on athletic performance,
- The physiological mechanisms that drive the relationship between sleep and exercise,
- The disruption of pandemic lockdowns on exercise, and its consequences for sleep.
- Sleep and exercise in special populations,
- Sleep and exercise in special circumstances (e.g., religious fasting),
- Sport-specific impacts on sleep,
- Differences in age, sex, and athletic rank on sleep quality,
- Strategies to improve sleep in athletes and non-athletic populations using exercise,
- Sleep monitoring technology.
Sleep is defined as a physiological process in which an organism enters into a reversible state of full or partial unconsciousness. The interrelationship between sleep and exercise is a bidirectional one. It is well-established that sleep affects daytime functioning and physical exercise. Similarly, a plethora of evidence suggests that physical exercise can affect sleep quality and duration. This relationship is perhaps best illustrated in the case of physically active individuals (e.g., athletes) as they require more sleep than non-athletic individuals, and when they receive it, tend to have less fragmented sleep than non-physically active individuals. This bidirectional relationship between sleep and exercise is rarely linear.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the physiological relationship between sleep and exercise, it is important to consider the impact of additional factors such as external sleep disruption, and internal physiological parameters, as well as to consider various populations. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments implemented strict lockdown measures that reduced the physical activity of most individuals. Because of this, the training intensity of athletes diminished, and consequently, they experienced lower sleep quality. Besides the pleasure and function of providing rest, the physiological function of sleep in hormonal and metabolic regulation is crucial. Both psychological and physical health suffer when sufficient quality sleep is not attained. If physical activity exerts such powerful protective effects on our holistic health through sleep, it is crucial to deepen our understanding of this unique physiological relationship.
This Research Topic aims to further investigate the physiological relationship between sleep and exercise, as well as to gain a more thorough account of potential confounding variables. The articles within this collection will both add to the literature and provide practical guidance for athletes, coaches, and nonathletes looking to understand and improve sleep quality and exercise performance.
We intend to publish a wide variety of article types including, but not limited to, original research, reviews, mini-reviews, and perspectives. Some topics include, but are not limited to:
- The physiological effects of sleep deprivation on athletic performance,
- The physiological mechanisms that drive the relationship between sleep and exercise,
- The disruption of pandemic lockdowns on exercise, and its consequences for sleep.
- Sleep and exercise in special populations,
- Sleep and exercise in special circumstances (e.g., religious fasting),
- Sport-specific impacts on sleep,
- Differences in age, sex, and athletic rank on sleep quality,
- Strategies to improve sleep in athletes and non-athletic populations using exercise,
- Sleep monitoring technology.
