News Article
PARIS, France – As the Paris Olympics progress, the quality of sleep and recovery conditions for athletes has become a notable point of discussion. This year's Games have brought the sleeping arrangements in the Olympic Village under scrutiny, with numerous athletes voicing concerns over the "rock solid" cardboard beds, originally introduced for sustainability reasons.
Australian water polo player Tilly Kearns and gymnast Simone Biles are among those who have publicly shared their discomfort, highlighting the impact of poor sleep on athletic performance and recovery. Sleep expert Dr. Carlos M. Nunez emphasizes the crucial role of rest in an athlete's regimen, citing it as one of the three pillars of health alongside diet and exercise (1) .
Amid these challenges, the focus has shifted to potential solutions that can enhance athlete recovery through better sleep. One such innovation is the Vestims mattress, which incorporates Vascular Endothelial Stimulation System technology. A study conducted by the University of Saint Mark and Saint John in 2019, published on PubMed (2), sheds light on the benefits of this technology. Participants sleeping on Vestims mattresses showed a 336% increase in systemic or body wide blood flow, which is critical to performance and postevent recovery and a 520g improvement in fat free muscle mass, highlighting potential benefits for athletes needing quick recovery and improved blood circulation .
As athletes and teams seek ways to optimize their performance, technologies like the Vestims Elite Sports mattress (2) are gaining attention for their potential to significantly improve sleep quality and recovery times. With ongoing discussions about environmental conditions and sleep disruptions in Paris, including the heat and potential noise from air conditioning units, the importance of adapting sleeping technologies to support athlete health and performance has never been more apparent.
As the Olympic games continue, the effectiveness of these innovative solutions in real-world scenarios will likely influence future choices for athlete accommodations at major sporting events, underscoring the need for continued research and adaptation in sports technology.
Vestims Elite Sports mattresses are class2 a medical devices manufactured by Squirrel Medical Ltd, based in Torpoint.
(1) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paris-olympics-cardboard-beds-impact-performance-sleep-expert/
(2)https://www.squirrelmedical.com/vestims-elite-sports-mattress