Einleitung

Sleep is a re-occurring behavioural state of reduced movement and responsiveness. In its simplest form, sleep allows rest from the preceding period of wakefulness. Adequate sleep is distinguished by ample duration, high efficiency (the ratio of sleep duration to time spent in bed), and suitable routine, while following adequate sleep one should feel refreshed and sustain alertness during wake periods. For adults, seven to nine hours of sleep per night is recommended, with less sleep than this considered suboptimal, and likely to compromise health, well-being, and performance. For an athlete, sleeping effectively is a fundamental determinant of preparation for, and recovery from training and competition. This is particularly important given that athletes may require additional sleep to allow adaptation to training stressors and to minimise any residual fatigue from training and competition. Indeed, an imbalance between wake and sleep for an athlete can result in a fatigued state leading to decreased physiological functioning and performance output. (gekürzt und geändert)