Overview
- The peer-reviewed study in Applied Sciences, led by Prof Jan de Jonge, found poor sleepers were 1.78 times more likely to report injury, equating to a 68% chance over a year.
- Researchers assessed sleep as a multidimensional factor, covering duration, quality, and disturbances such as difficulty falling asleep and frequent night waking.
- Participants who maintained consistent, restorative sleep reported fewer injuries than those with irregular or unrestful sleep patterns.
- The team urges runners, coaches, and clinicians to elevate sleep in prevention plans, with typical guidance of seven to nine hours nightly and added rest like short naps for athletes.
- Authors emphasize the results reflect associations from self-reported surveys and encourage intervention trials, noting recreational running already shows high overall injury rates.