Lack of sleep linked to increased sports injuries in teens

Details

Published on Monday, 19 November 2012 05:16

Written by Laura Turianski

According to new research, teen athletes need to ensure they’re getting plenty of sleep to reduce their risk of injury. A study recently presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference found that young athletes who routinely slept at least eight hours each night were 68 percent less likely to be injured than those who slept less.

Researchers with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles enlisted 112 (54 males and 58 females) middle and high school student athletes to complete surveys regarding their sleep and activity levels. Surprisingly time spent participating in sports, strength training, private coaching, and gender did not considerably affect injury risk. However the number of hours of sleep was significantly associated with the probability of injury.

These findings seem logical when you consider that while you sleep your muscles and ligaments relax, heal and prepare themselves for more activity. Deep sleep also encourages proper hormone levels, which can minimize natural clumsiness that occurs during puberty.

Grab a little extra sleep each night and keep injuries from affecting your games, school and athletic career. Find more information on teens and sleep from the National Sleep Foundation.