Barcelona bring in sleep specialist to improve recovery and performance | Barca Universal

"According to a report from Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have introduced a sleep expert to help players recover better from the physical and mental demands of training and matches. From reaction times to physical endurance and mental sharpness, Barcelona believe that proper sleep can directly influence these parameters on the field. For that reason, the club decided to invest in a specialist who can guide players through healthier sleep routines."

"The outlet explains that the role of the sleep doctor has become even more important due to the team's demanding travel schedule. Barcelona often face long trips, where jet lag becomes a serious factor. Furthermore, the team frequently returns from away matches in the early hours of the morning, which disrupts normal sleep patterns. Players are regularly exposed to changes in time zones, match schedules, and diets. These factors can create psychosocial stress, anxiety, and fatigue after games or travel."

"To help players sleep better, the specialist provides a set of practical guidelines. These include maintaining a consistent pre-sleep routine, avoiding screens for at least an hour before bed, and staying away from caffeine for up to ten hours before sleeping. The environment also plays a crucial role, as the players are advised to sleep in rooms that are dark, quiet, and cool,"

Barcelona added a sleep doctor to the first-team staff to improve player recovery from the physical and mental demands of training and matches. Proper sleep is presented as directly influencing reaction times, physical endurance, and mental sharpness on the field. The specialist focuses on mitigating disruptions from long trips, jet lag, and returns from away matches in the early hours. Players routinely face time-zone changes, altered match schedules, varied diets, psychosocial stress, anxiety, and post-travel fatigue. Professional footballers may need more than eight hours of sleep due to intense physical stress and recovery needs. The specialist issues practical guidelines on routines, screen avoidance, caffeine timing, and optimized sleeping environments.

Read at Barca Universal