Endurance sports, including long-distance running, cycling, and triathlon, demand not only physical prowess but also great mental stamina. Athletes in these disciplines push their bodies to the absolute extreme limits, putting them at risk to injury. A recent prospective study, “General health complaints and sleep associated with new injury within an endurance sporting population,” highlights the significant impact of sleep on injury rates among endurance athletes.
The Study’s Scope and Objectives
The primary goal of this study was to examine the relationship between general health complaints, sleep quality, and the incidence of new injuries in endurance athletes. The study had 95 participants and went over 52 weeks with over 92% of participants completing all 52 weeks of the study.
Sleep Quality and Injury Risk
One of the most compelling findings from the study is the strong correlation between less than optimum sleep quality and an increased risk of injury. Athletes who experienced inadequate sleep (Less than 7 hours) or had irregular sleep patterns were significantly more prone to injuries. This finding aligns with existing research that shows sleep deprivation can impair cognitive function, slow reaction times, and hinder muscle recovery—all critical elements for athletic performance and injury prevention.
Muscle Recovery and Repair
Sleep is essential for muscle recovery and repair. Deep sleep stages aid in tissue repair and muscle growth. Insufficient sleep disrupts this process, leading to extended recovery times and increased risk of overuse injuries. Endurance athletes, who consistently stress their muscles and joints, are particularly at risk if their sleep patterns are compromised.
How can Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine help with sleep and recovery?
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help by stimulating the body’s natural healing abilities and help the body transition from the sympathetic ‘fight or flight’ stress response to the parasympathetic ‘rest and digest’ healing and recovery state.
By getting your body better and stronger at getting into the parasympathetic ‘rest and digest’ healing state this will release oxytocin improving relaxation, mood, encourage good digestion, healing of the body, hormone balance and most importantly encourage deeper and more restorative sleep.
Conclusion
The study “General health complaints and sleep associated with new injury within an endurance sporting population” emphasises the crucial role of sleep in preventing injuries among endurance athletes. Prioritising sleep quality and adopting a proactive approach to health and recovery such as implementing regular acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as a preventative tool to aid in good quality sleep, recovery, performance and a return from injury.
In the high-stakes world of endurance sports, balancing the demands of training with the necessity of adequate rest and recovery is key to sustained success and longevity.
Johnston R, Cahalan R, Bonnett L, Maguire M, Glasgow P, Madigan S, O’Sullivan K, Comyns T. General health complaints and sleep associated with new injury within an endurance sporting population: A prospective study. J Sci Med Sport. 2020 Mar;23(3):252-257. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.10.013. Epub 2019 Nov 1. PMID: 31862338.
