9781422278772

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Wrestlers compete as individuals, yet the sport builds camaraderie like no other.

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tend to agree that seven and a half to eight hours of sleep is the optimal amount the night before a meet. Once a wrestler has set aside the correct amount of time for sleeping, the quality of that sleep should be maximized. There are a number of factors to consider in this regard: mattress, light, temperature, and noise. A dark sleep environment is necessary for the body to release the sleep-inducing chemical melatonin.

— Cael Sanderson, Olympic gold medalist and three-time College Wrestler of the Year

First and foremost, the sleeping surface needs to be a good one. A low-quality or worn-out mattress can make it difficult to get a comfortable, uninterrupted night’s rest. Sleeping on a substandard mattress can result in waking up with lower back pain or not being comfortable enough to fall into a deep sleep, which prevents the restorative effects of sleep from being maximized.

I really wanted to be the best I could possibly be. You just gotta be better than you were yesterday, that’s the biggest thing. Be better than you were yesterday, and that will really pay off.

— Kyle Dake, four-time NCAA champion

One of the chemicals released by the body to help it sleep is melatonin. The body only

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