How does sleep enhance exercise performance?

Sleep plays a role in enhancing exercise performance and supporting overall physical wellbeing. Here are several ways in which sleep positively impacts exercise performance:

• Muscle recovery and repair - during sleep, the body undergoes important processes of muscle recovery and repair. Adequate sleep helps muscles recover from exercise-induced damage and enhances their ability to adapt and grow stronger.
• Energy restoration - sleep enhances replenishing energy stores. During sleep, the body restores glycogen, the primary fuel source for muscles during exercise. Having optimal glycogen levels ensures sustained energy and endurance during workouts.
• Hormone regulation - sleep plays a role in regulating hormone levels, including cortisol. Adequate sleep helps keep cortisol levels in balance, preventing excessive catabolic (muscle breakdown) effects and supporting an optimal anabolic (muscle-building) environment.