A Narrative Review of the Impact of Sleep on Athletes: Sleep Restriction Causes and Consequences, Monitoring, and Interventions.

This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the impact of sleep on athletic performance, the prevalence and causes of sleep disturbances, and effective monitoring and intervention strategies to enhance sleep quality and duration. A comprehensive review of case studies, observational studies, randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar up to July 2024. Sleep plays a crucial role in the overall well-being and performance of athletes, yet sleep issues are highly prevalent due to factors such as competition schedules, psychological stress, and travel across time zones. Inadequate sleep negatively affects physical strength, endurance, cognitive function, and injury risk. Sleep tracking is highlighted as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool, with interventions such as extending sleep duration, adopting sleep hygiene practices, and, when necessary, pharmacological approaches proving effective. The review concludes that tailored sleep strategies are essential to optimize athletic performance, recovery, and overall well-being.