A Good Night's Sleep Improves Athletic Performance

SAN DIEGO, March 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Athletes are always looking for ways to gain strength, speed and endurance over the competition. Yet, one place they often overlook in their regime is their sleep habit. Cool-jams' Performance Sleep Products feature moisture wicking sleepwear and temperature regulating bedding to help an athlete's body achieve the optimal sleep temperature.

"Cool-jams Inc. has discovered that being smart about sleep is as important as diet and exercise," said Anita Mahaffey, founder and CEO of Cool-jams, Inc.

The technical fabric regulates body heat while minimizing energy expended to keep the body cool and comfortable. The moisture-wicking properties carry away built-up heat while an antimicrobial agent fights odor and bacteria.

"For athletes who are always searching for ways to improve performance, Cool-jams helps the body function more efficiently while sleeping, which provides a competitive advantage," explained Mahaffey. "Cool-jams bedding and sleepwear are never too warm or too cold, allowing the body to stay, cool, dry and comfortable all night long."

Think about this: when Stanford researcher Cheri Mah examined collegiate swimmers, tennis, football and basketball players, she found that they sprinted faster, shot better and set personal bests after increasing their sleep. In the study, athletes performed their best when they took daytime naps, watched what they drank and aimed for 10 hours of sleep nightly. This falls in line with what Mark Rosekind, a former NASA scientist who assisted the U.S. Olympic Committee redesign bedrooms at the Olympic Training Center, recommends: athletes need nine to 10 hours of sleep a night.

Sleep is as important as protein, carbohydrates and fluids because while you slumber, your body releases growth hormones that stimulate healing and muscle growth. This boosts cognitive performance, such as hand-eye coordination and reaction time, and aids recovery. Rosekind recommends athletes use blackout curtains, reliable alarm clocks, plush-top mattresses and thermostats set to cool temperatures for the best night's sleep.

Turning down the thermostat is a vital part of recovery because athletes tend to overheat while sleeping. Keeping a room too warm prevents athletes from falling into a deep enough sleep to reap all the benefits. To promote recovery, athletes need to bring their core body temperature to an optimal level that induces a restful night's sleep.

About Cool-jams
Created in 2007, Cool-jams Inc. designs state-of-the-art moisture wicking pajamas, loungewear and cooling bedding that focus on diversity and style without sacrificing comfort. Since its launch, Cool-jams has been featured in national women's magazines, on TV shows like "The Doctors," and is a top-rated merchant on Amazon.  Cool-jams can be found online at www.cool-jams.com as well as retail shops worldwide.

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SOURCE Cool-Jams Sleepwear