Post Workout Nap

[[old] csabour]

I've always felt like taking naps right after a hard workout in the gym or on the water. However i fought my urge for 2 reasons; one, i didn't have the time, two, i didn't want to waste my free time.<br /><br />However a thought occured to me a month ago that 'perhaps it speeds up my recovery' or that maybe i would benefit more from the workout with a proper rest afterwards.<br /><br />So whenever i can, i'd come home exhausted and hit the sack for about an hour, maybe a little more.<br /><br />I think it's great, however afterwards i feel very strange and drowsy. And also i have a feeling that i'm screwing up my sleeping cycle by throughing in these hour long naps.<br /><br />What do you all think? Does anyone have a good read on the subject i could check out?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Cam

[[old] Alissa]

Hi Cam. <br /><br />Interesting questions. I remembered that teens typically are living w/ an accumulated sleep deficit that can incline you to sleepiness in the afternoon. So I did a quick search (Google: teenager nap athlete "sleep deficit") and found a couple of things that seemed interesting: <a href="http://www.johnrosengren.net/pillow.htm" target="_blank">blogged article</a>, <a href="http://www.usankf.org/f56/f6/f6b/f6b_7_ ... _Sleep.htm" target="_blank">Sleep article from a karate site </a>, <a href="http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=459864" target="_blank">posted article on another Bd part 1 of 2</a> and <a href="http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=460443" target="_blank">part 2 of 2 (of previous article)</a> etc. (There were several other things that looked interesting there. <br /><br />Based on a quick scan of things, it looks like your drowsiness might reflect a larger sleep deficit problem...the nap doesn't hurt, but it doesn't solve the problem either... <br /><br />Good luck!<br /><br />Alissa<br /><br />ETA: two additional links to two part article on a board that's not as easy to read (white text/black background), but seems to include lots of postscript references (that without reading, at least) make the 2 part article sound well researched!

[[old] michaelb]

Alissa is getting all scientific here, and she is probably right. But I had the other impression. I think napping after a workout would be just great if that is what you want to do. I actually like to try to nap for a little while before a big row like a PB attempt. When I used lift weights, so many years ago in high school and college, I used to get sleepy during workouts, those benches could seem so comfortable. At the time I liked to think that all that hard muscle work reduced the blood flow to my brain.<br /><br />In napping theory however, I think there is a difference between an hour+ long nap, and a 15-20 min "power" nap. I would guess the grogginess is from napping too long. I would avoid getting in bed since that will lead you to sleep too soundly and for too long. I never nap in bed unless I am sick. Maybe lay on the floor or kick back in a chair, put on some headphones, and close your eyes for "just a bit".

[[old] Janice]

When are you training? I find that if I train in the morning I have to have a nap (I'm nearly 25 as well and gettin 8+ hours usually), but if I wait until after lunch I'm usually okay. <br /><br />My 2p

[[old] csabour]

I train at 5:30 AM in a gym across town. I get home on weekdays at around 8 AM, and i have School at 8:50 AM. So i just eat and I'm out the door. However on the weekend or holidays I like to train At 7 AM, which means I'll probably be back for 10:30. <br /><br />I get about 9 hours of sleep every night, which is pretty good, but i feel like i could always use some more.<br /><br />michaelb, I think you're right, i'm napping too long and it's just turned into a short sleep.<br /><br />Alissa, thanks for the links they answered alot of questions

[[old] John Rupp]

Taking naps is a great idea.<br /><br />In my 20's I took naps after work, before going to weightlifting practice, or after running and before going out on a date.<br /><br />These would usually be 30 minutes or so and I'd really zonk out.<br /><br />Now I sometimes have short naps on the patio, where it's nice and warm in the sunshine.

[[old] Ben Rea]

naps make me more tired, they're a no go for me.