The British have a strange relationship with the siesta. While most of us would love to knock off work for a nap after lunch, it’s viewed as being downright lazy. But among elite athletes, where marginal gains can mean a crucial extra yard of pace, the value of taking forty winks is being
appreciated more and more.
Hence the odd sight of a series of cubes landing at Swansea City’s training ground. Called Snoozeboxes, these portable structures are inflated to create rooms with enough space for a comfy double bed. As Garry Monk puts his charges through double sessions, the lads can catch some shut-eye in between the morning and afternoon drills.
“During pre-season, when training volume is at its highest, it’s important that we provide the right tools for all players,” explains Jonny Northeast, the club’s head of sports science and fitness. “Strength and power is reduced if they aren’t getting appropriate
rest, which can lead to a decrease in performance.”
Sleep research has been linked to faster sprint
times and a decrease in fatigue. “Initially, players couldn’t believe what they were seeing,” laughs
Jonny. “But the uptake with the pods has been
great. The ground has been a ghost town between sessions, with players making a quick escape to
get their heads down.”
As long as that’s all they’re doing...
Learn more or hire a Snoozebox at snoozeboxhotel.co.uk
For more tips see:
Five top tips to help you doze
