38. Dr. Amy Bender: Sleep For Sport

In Episode #38 of the More Than Miles Podcast, physical therapists Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards and Dr. Kacy Seynders interview athlete and sleep researcher, Dr. Amy Bender, and talk all about how sleep quantity and quality can influence performance. Dr. Bender discusses some of the myths and facts surrounding what constitutes good sleep for recovery and why we should care as endurance athletes! She also discusses how to optimize sleep during periods of life in which we may not be able to control our sleep as much, such as when negotiating the time of being a new parent. Dr. Bender talks about the accuracy (or not!) of certain wearable technology such as the Oura ring or Whoop band and how to best use these devices to track sleep. She also talks about some of her research in a controlled sleep lab and some of the exciting innovations that her team is working on! If you have ever wondered about what role sleep plays in your recovery and success as an endurance athlete, we know you will love this episode!