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FC Barcelona Prioritizes Sleep for Peak Player Performance
15 Feb
Summary
- Hansi Flick hired a sleep specialist to enhance player performance.
- The specialist translates scientific sleep knowledge into athlete routines.
- Late match times disrupt player sleep cycles and require management.
FC Barcelona is enhancing its focus on player well-being and performance by bringing a sleep specialist onto coach Hansi Flick's staff. This initiative underscores the critical role of rest and sleep quality, which are considered determining factors in elite athletic achievement, alongside diet and physical conditioning.
The newly appointed specialist, Anna West, brings a wealth of experience from previous work with top football clubs like Arsenal FC and AC Milan, as well as with Olympic athletes. Her role involves translating academic research on sleep science into actionable strategies that can be integrated into the daily routines of FC Barcelona players.
Modern football's demanding schedule, often featuring late kick-off times for LaLiga and European matches, significantly impacts players' sleep patterns. When games conclude after 9 PM, players may not get to bed until the early morning hours, disrupting their circadian rhythms. This situation highlights the need for structured sleep management.
Coach Flick is now prioritizing the control of player rest with the same meticulous attention given to their diet and physical training regimens. This includes closely supervising pre-sleep habits to ensure optimal recovery. Recent player comments, such as Raphinha noting Lamine Yamal's tiredness from late-night phone use, and Pau Cubarsi's revelation of sleeping around 10 hours, emphasize the varied sleep needs and habits within the squad.
