How sleep fuels performance: the key to recovery, success and the Graham Potter era

Sleep deprivation can significantly impact athletic performance, slowing reaction times, reducing endurance, and hindering recovery. Graham Potter, renowned for having a solid ‘back’line with a comfortable, controlling midfield. Simba Sleep, who’s renowned for its innovative Hybrid® mattresses is committed to enhancing sleep quality with advanced design and materials. Prioritising rest isn’t just about feeling refreshed, it’s a critical factor in achieving peak performance, both physically and mentally.

The overlooked factor in athletic performance

When striving to improve athletic performance, most athletes focus on training, nutrition, and recovery methods such as stretching or ice baths. But one crucial factor is often neglected, quality sleep.
Lisa Artis, Deputy CEO of Simba’s charity partner, The Sleep Charity highlights its importance: “Prioritising quality rest is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Athletes who optimise their sleep see significant improvements in performance, recovery, and injury prevention.”
She further emphasises: “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.”
Whether you're a professional athlete or someone who sits on the bench and earns £125k per week, quality rest can give you the edge you need. Here’s why sleep should be a non-negotiable part of your routine.

Faster recovery and stronger muscles

After an intense game or climbing the stairs to your seat in the London Stadium, your muscles need time to repair and grow. This process primarily occurs during deep sleep Lisa Artis adds: “Deep sleep is the body's natural recovery phase. 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, not to mention, sleep is also immensely important for us fans, we do have to watch West Ham week in week out so mental recovery through sleep is much-needed.

Sharper focus and faster reactions

In competitive sports, split-second decisions can make or break a game; whether it’s reacting to an opponent’s move, maintaining precision, or strategising on the go, your brain needs to perform at its best. I hope Roberto is giving this a read, would’ve helped a handful in the 2019/20 season!
Lisa Artis, explains: “Lack of sleep reduces vigilance, alertness, and focus, making it harder to perform tasks that require sustained attention. This can be a serious disadvantage in both training and competition.”
Sleep deprivation impacts cognitive function in a way similar to alcohol consumption. Reaction times slow, decision-making suffers, and concentration declines, none of which are ideal for an athlete aiming to perform at their best…it sounds familiar, I’ll give you a hint: his initials are ‘KM’. But by getting enough sleep, you enhance cognitive function, reaction time, and decision-making ability, giving yourself the best chance of success.

Injury prevention and coordination (Listen up Medical Team!)

Fatigue leads to poor coordination, slower reflexes, and weakened muscle control, all of which increase the likelihood of injury. Research shows that athletes who average less than eight hours of sleep per night are 1.7 times more likely to experience an injury compared to those who sleep eight or more hours, which is exactly how we know that poor old Andy Carroll must’ve had 4 hours a night. Lisa Artis stresses: “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.” Getting sufficient rest means better control over your body, reducing the risk of sprains, strains, missteps, and as you can clearly see, our old medical team weren’t the producers of these.

More energy and endurance

Sleep plays a vital role in regulating energy levels and stamina. Well-rested athletes, or a Moyes playing style, efficiently store and utilise glycogen, the fuel muscles rely on during exercise. Sleep deprivation on the other hand, leads to quicker exhaustion, making even routine workouts feel significantly harder. Lisa Artis points out: “Your body relies on sleep to regulate energy expenditure. Athletes who consistently get high-quality sleep tend to have better stamina, endurance, and overall performance.” A well-rested body functions optimally, ensuring endurance, strength, and motivation remain high throughout training and competition.

Why your mattress matters

Even if you prioritise sleep, its quality matters as much as its duration. An unsupportive mattress can cause discomfort, poor posture, and restless nights, all of which negatively impact muscle recovery and overall performance. Perhaps something that Diafra Sakho should’ve invested in rather than the cursed ‘back-man’. The Simba Hybrid® Mattress is designed for optimal support, featuring innovative Aerocoil® springs for full-body alignment and pressure relief. Its extra-deep Simbatex® foam adds elasticity for cushioning comfort, while the nine-zone foam base supports key areas like the hips and shoulders. Upgrading to a high-quality mattress improves sleep efficiency, reduces stiffness, and helps you wake up refreshed and ready to perform.

The bottom line

Just like football, in which a selective amount of Hammers players could take note of, train harder, perform better, and recover faster, sleep must be a top priority. Just like a solid training plan and balanced nutrition, quality rest is essential for peak performance. By prioritising deep, restorative sleep, you give your body the recovery it needs to stay strong, sharp, and ready for any challenge.
Investing in better sleep isn’t just about comfort, it’s about unlocking your full potential and proving your ludicrously high weekly wage.  

The answer has been found, West Ham hasn’t been getting their sleep, and Potter hasn’t been getting much either!