Ep. 14 Fueling Performance with Sleep
In Episode 14 we have a special guest with us, Dr. Chen Du, a renowned expert in the field of sleep, nutrition, and performance. With a PhD in Sleep Medicine and a Master's in Public Health, as well as being a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Dr. Du brings a wealth of knowledge to our discussion.
In this episode, we'll explore the crucial link between sleep and athletic performance, with a specific focus on teen athletes. Dr. Du will shed light on why sleep is a vital factor in achieving peak performance, especially for young athletes. We'll delve into common sleep concerns and issues that teen athletes may face, helping both athletes and parents identify and address these challenges. Dr. Du will also share her insights on the contentious topic of napping and provide guidance on energy drink consumption among teen athletes.
We'll also discuss the roles of coaches and athletic trainers in supporting teen athletes in optimizing their sleep routines and, consequently, enhancing their performance on the field.
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Tools to help assess sleep of teenage athletes
Sleep Diary: A sleep diary is a simple and effective tool where teenagers can record their bedtime, wake-up time, total sleep duration, and any sleep disturbances. It helps identify patterns and trends in sleep habits over time. Resource available via: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources/sleep-diary
Sleep Questionnaires: "Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale" and the "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.” These questionnaires assess different aspects of sleep quality, sleep habits, and sleep-related behaviors. Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale is available via: https://www.colorado.edu/lab/sleepdev/sites/default/files/attached-files/ashs_measure_scoring.pdf
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index is available via: https://www.med.upenn.edu/cbti/assets/user-content/documents/Pittsburgh%20Sleep%20Quality%20Index%20(PSQI).pdf
Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS): The ESS is a subjective measure of daytime sleepiness. Teenagers rate their likelihood of falling asleep in different situations to assess their level of daytime sleepiness. Resource available via: https://epworthsleepinessscale.com/about-the-ess/
If you have any questions about using any of these tools or how to score and assess, please reach out to Dr. Chen Du via [email protected]
Credible sources to get sleep information National Sleep Foundation: https://www.thensf.org/
National Institute of Aging – Science of Sleep Resources: https://www.nia.nih.gov/scienceofsleep
To learn more visit @thesportsnutritionplaybook and thesportsnutritionplaybook.com. Have questions to ask our sports dietitians? Email us at [email protected].