The National Sleep Foundation has specific sleep recommendations for each age group ranging from infants to the aged population. The recommended ranges for appropriate sleep for teenagers is getting 8 to 10 hours, 7 to 9 hours for young adults and 7 to 8 hours for the older population.
Examining sleep patterns over an 8 year period and measuring grip strength with hand held dynamometers the groups with longer and shorter duration than recommended have a faster rate of hand grip strength decline over time.
When training to Get Strong sleep must be an important part of the equation as it is a major key to development. Stimulants like energy drinks, external lights including those from electronic devices interfere with our 'circardian rythms' or natural sleep/wake cycle. Eating properly, maintaining a healthy body composition and exercising are important, but the big picture in maximizing development is getting the needed hours of recovery to make a program work.
