#536: Improving Sleep in Combat Sports Athletes – Ian Dunican, PhD

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9M ago 1:15:57

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In the world of combat sports, optimizing performance extends beyond physical training and nutrition—sleep plays a critical role. Maladaptive sleep behaviors, such as inconsistent sleep schedules and inadequate sleep duration, can significantly impair an athlete’s performance by reducing cognitive function, reaction time, and recovery ability. Understanding these impacts is crucial for athletes and coaches seeking to enhance performance through more effective sleep strategies.

One of the key challenges combat sports athletes face is managing the effects of shift work and irregular event timings, which often conflict with typical training schedules. What are some strategies to mitigate these challenges, such as adjusting sleep schedules in advance? And what are the implications of jet lag for athletes traveling to major competitions?

While technology offers valuable tools for tracking sleep, there are potential drawbacks, including reliance on inaccurate data or the psychological effects of constant monitoring. By educating athletes and coaches on best practices for sleep, they can make informed adjustments to training regimens, ultimately enhancing overall performance.

In this episode, sleep scientist Dr. Ian Dunican discusses his work related to understanding and improving sleep behaviors in combat sports athletes.

Timestamps:

01:43 Introduction to the Episode
04:38 Discussion on Recent Research Paper
09:52 Sleep Behaviors in Athletes
13:11 Questionnaire and Study Findings
20:38 Common Sleep Disorders in Athletes
33:23 Impact of Training Schedules on Sleep
34:25 Practical Tips for Better Sleep
41:17 Phases of Training and Their Importance
42:31 Understanding Chronotypes and Sleep Habits
45:19 Wearable Devices and Sleep Tracking
53:05 Practical Advice for Coaches and Athletes
59:03 Travel, Jet Lag, and Sleep for Athletes

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