The Link Between Sleep and Sports Injuries in Young Athletes

When it comes to sports injuries, most of the focus tends to be on training loads, technique, and physical conditioning. But one important factor often gets overlooked: sleep.

We all know that kids and teens are busy. Between school, sports, homework, and social lives, sleep often gets pushed to the bottom of the priority list. But new research shows that not getting enough hours of rest could actually put young athletes at greater risk for injuries.

A recent study set out to explore whether the amount of sleep young athletes get could play a role in their risk of injury. Researchers gathered information from 112 student athletes (ages 12–18) at a combined middle and high school, looking at both their reported sleep habits and their injury history as recorded by the school’s athletic department.

What did they find?

Athletes who slept less than 8 hours per night were 1.7 times more likely to sustain an injury compared to those who slept 8 or more hours.
Older athletes were also at greater risk: for every additional grade level, the likelihood of injury increased by about 40%.

These results highlight a simple but powerful truth: adequate sleep is a critical part of injury prevention.

For young athletes balancing school, sports, and social lives, sleep is often the first thing sacrificed. But cutting corners on rest may leave them more vulnerable to sprains, strains, and other sports-related injuries.

The takeaway?
Encouraging adolescents (and EVERYONE) to get at least 8 hours of quality sleep each night could help protect their health, improve recovery, and keep them performing at their best—both in school and on the field.

Please reach out to us to help you with determining your specific training and injury needs! Book here with one of our talented physiotherapists!