Keywords
Sleep deprivation
Musculoskeletal injuries
Athletes
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Abstract
Objective: To analyze the association between sleep deprivation and the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in athletes, considering the physiological, hormonal, cognitive, and neuromuscular mechanisms involved. Literature review: Sleep plays an essential role in metabolic recovery, tissue repair, and hormonal regulation. Sleep deprivation is associated with reduced growth hormone secretion, increased cortisol levels, and impairment of anabolic processes responsible for muscle recovery. In addition, alterations in sleep architecture negatively affect cognitive and neuromuscular functions, including motor coordination, reaction time, and motor control, increasing the risk of sports-related injuries. Among athletes, the combination of high training loads and inadequate recovery contributes to chronic neuromuscular fatigue and a higher incidence of overuse injuries. Final considerations: Insufficient sleep is an important risk factor associated with musculoskeletal injuries in athletes, making the implementation of strategies aimed at improving sleep quality and duration essential for injury prevention and optimal athletic performance.
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