How Premier League footballers will use the international break to rest and recover | OneFootball

While football fans love major tournaments such as the World Cup and European Championship, the rest of the international football calendar gets a bad rap.

International breaks regularly disrupt domestic football, leaving fans frustrated that they cannot watch their favourite teams in action.

However, international breaks are a necessary evil, as they are the windows where qualifying matches and tournaments such as the Nations League are staged.

Many Premier League teams lose a sizeable number of players during the breaks, which creates headaches for the coaching and medical staff at each club.

However, the periods when club football is shelved offer an opportunity for players not selected by their international teams to rest and recover.

Most managers use the international breaks to give those players some time off to recuperate from the stresses and strains of international football.

Others take a different approach by bringing their players into training to work on tactical elements such as set pieces or analysis of future opponents.

In some cases, clubs give players individual fitness programmes to keep them ticking over. This allows them to stay fit while also enjoying some downtime.

One of the most important elements for professional footballers to consider is sleep, particularly during periods when other temptations are in play.

With no club football on the agenda, some players may decide this is a good opportunity to spend their free time burning the candle at both ends.

This can be a recipe for disaster, as studies have shown that sleep deprivation can significantly impact athletic performance, slow reaction times, reduce endurance and hinder recovery.

Simba Sleep, a company renowned for its innovative Hybrid® mattresses and mattress toppers, has conducted extensive research into how a lack of sleep can affect performance.

Their efforts have helped to inform the design of their products, ensuring that people can achieve peak performance, both physically and mentally.

Lisa Artis, the deputy chief executive officer of Simba’s charity partner, The Sleep Charity, says that prioritising quality rest is not a luxury.

“Sleep is a necessity for physical, mental and emotional wellbeing,” Artis said. “Athletes who optimise their sleep see significant improvements in performance, recovery and injury prevention.

“A lack of sleep increases levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which can negatively affect muscle recovery and endurance. Ensuring adequate rest is just as important as training itself.”

Sir Alex Ferguson was one of the first people in the Premier League to recognise the importance of quality sleep as a recovery tool for professional footballers.

His willingness to work with sleep guru Nick Littlehales proved to be a game-changer at United, giving their players a crucial edge against their Premier League rivals.

Ferguson was also an advocate of power naps, a philosophy that extended to creating a room where players could relax on single-sleeper loungers during the day.

Getting enough quality sleep became a non-negotiable at Old Trafford, and Ferguson punished players who refused to take their rest and recovery seriously.

Artis adds further weight to Ferguson’s stance by insisting that getting the optimum amount of sleep is crucial for helping muscles repair and grow.

“Deep sleep is the body’s natural recovery phase,” Artis added. “Without it, your muscles remain fatigued, increasing the risk of injury and delaying improvements in strength and performance.

“Without enough sleep, your body struggles to rebuild muscle, leading to prolonged recovery, increased soreness, and a higher risk of injury.

“Deep, restorative sleep ensures your body is ready to take on the next match. A lack of sleep also reduces vigilance, alertness and focus.

“This makes it harder to perform tasks that require sustained attention and can be a serious disadvantage in both training and competition.

“Sleep is when your body restores energy and repairs damaged tissues. Without it, balance and coordination suffer, increasing the risk of strains, sprains, and serious injuries.”

Premier League players who fail to get the requisite amount of sleep are undoubtedly taking a massive gamble with their careers.

Players who consistently get high-quality sleep generally have better stamina, endurance and overall performance – key elements to success at the top level.

By creating optimal sleep conditions, including investing in a quality mattress, players boost their chances of enjoying longevity in the Premier League.

Whether the season is in one of the international breaks or if domestic football is up and running, players must take sleep seriously to unlock their full potential.