Athletes

15
Aug
2018
How Much Sleep Does An Athlete Need?

How Much Sleep Does An Athlete Need?

While it is a fact that we all need a set amount of sleep to help us function, professional athletes may need even more sleep to be able to perform at their optimum physical capacity.

You have probably heard the stories of football teams being woken up in the early hours at their team hotel by fire alarms and how this may have impacted on their performance in subsequent matches.

The recommended amount of sleep in any 24 hour period is between 7 and 8 hours but there are athletes who claim they can’t function properly on anything less than 10 hours on their days off.

There is a good reason for this. Sleep is actually very important for athletes because it is not only required for recovery between events, but also to build muscle. Without enough sleep, both recovery and muscle and gains in strength and physical performance will be slow at best.

So it is not only professional athletes who benefit from getting enough sleep, even if you are an amateur sportsperson, you are likely to achieve your goals much faster if you place an equal amount of importance on the quality of your sleep.

Posted by m6beds in Athlete Sleep, Athletes, Bedroom, Health, Improve Sleep Patterns, M6 Beds, Mattress Type, Mattresses, Sleep
21
May
2018
Which Mattress Type Is Best For Athletes?

Which Mattress Type Is Best For Athletes?

If you’re an athlete sleep is a vital part of your routine. Sleep helps build muscle and aids recovery from work out sessions as well as lots of other restorative effects. It is also important for athletes to be able to get the support they need from choosing the right type of mattress. With this in mind, we look at the pros and cons of the most common mattress types suitable for athletes

Memory foam
Memory foam has increased in popularity over the past decade and offers an affordable alternative to most mattress types. The material used in memory foam mattresses is viscoelastic polyfoam which changes shape around the contours of the body when it is heated by body temperature. This makes ideal for those who like a softer mattress that doesn’t increase pressure on joints and the spine. The main disadvantage for some people with memory foam is its tendency to heat up. A memory foam mattress can also start to sag with age.

Coil Mattresses
Coil mattresses are the most popular type of mattress and as the name suggests the support in them is provided by steel coils. Coil mattresses are generally reinforced with layers of polyfoam to further bolster support and can be a good low cost alternative to other more expensive mattress types. Unlike memory foam, coil mattresses don’t conform to the body’s contours and support structures can deteriorate more rapidly than other mattress types.

Hybrid mattresses
If memory foam and coil mattresses don’t fit the bill then the compromise option is to go for a hybrid mattress. With a hybrid mattress you gain the benefits of memory foam and coils working together. One thing to consider with a hybrid though is the extra cost and the wide variety of firmness ratings. This means you will need to try out a few before deciding on which one is best. Also the memory foam component will still lead to problems with heat retention which can make for an uncomfortable night’s sleep if your temperature is already elevated from exercising.

For athletes like the rest of us choosing the right mattress is largely about how it feels to you individually. Cost can also be a factor but it is better to choose a mattress that will last and provide the necessary support.

Posted by m6beds in Athletes, Bedroom, Investing in a Bed, M6 Beds, Mattress Type, Mattresses