According to a study conducted by researchers at Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic and Research Laboratory on swimmers, a considerable amount of improvement was observed in their performances after their sleep hours were extended to ten hours a day.
"These results begin to elucidate the importance of sleep on athletic performance and, more specifically, how sleep is a significant factor in achieving peak athletic performance," lead author of the Lab Cheri Mah said.
During the study, the participants were made to follow their normal sleep pattern for the first two weeks and then their sleep hours were increased.
The team noted that after getting an extended sleep athletes swam a 15-meter meter sprint 0.51 seconds faster, reacted 0.15 seconds quicker off the blocks, improved turn time by 0.10 seconds and increased kick strokes by 5.0 kicks.
They also noted a decrease in tendency of sleeping during the day hours among the performers.
Also, after getting a sound and complete night sleep, the sign of tiredness in the athletes disappeared and they appeared full of vigour, energy and force.
