By Adebowale Bello. Freelance Health Writer.
An Image of The Olympic Rings By Yazan Rihan
Monday, August 5 2024. As the Paris 2024 Olympics unfold, concerns are mounting over the cardboard bed frames provided to athletes for the second consecutive summer games. Introduced as an eco-friendly measure following their debut at Tokyo 2020, these beds are touted for their sustainability, being 100% manufactured in France and fully recyclable post-games.
Athletes have the flexibility to adjust bed size and mattress firmness as shown in an Olympic video. However, Dr. Chris Winter, a sleep consultant, highlighted potential drawbacks, "For Olympic athletes, waking up with back discomfort could be disastrous," Dr. Winter emphasized, citing concerns over the beds' durability and firmness levels. He noted the economic and environmental advantages of cardboard over traditional beds but underscored the importance of considering athletes' sleep quality and performance.
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Dr. Chafen Watkins Hart, a sleep expert, also echoed concerns regarding sleep quality amidst competitive pressures and unfamiliar sleeping conditions. She noted improvements in mattress quality from Tokyo but warned of potential discomfort due to firmness, which could exacerbate muscle soreness for some athletes.
Beyond mattress concerns, Dr. Hart highlighted environmental factors like room temperature and roommate dynamics affecting sleep. With rooms lacking air conditioning, athletes resort to personal cooling devices while varied sleep habits among roommates add further challenges.
Both experts recommended personalizing sleep environments with familiar items to enhance comfort and reduce anxiety. Dr. Winter advised athletes to bring personal pillows and maintain cool room temperatures while Dr. Hart suggested familiar scents and calming rituals to ease sleep in new environments.
While cardboard beds offer sustainability benefits, concerns persist over their ergonomic suitability for elite athletes, urging ongoing evaluation to optimize sleep conditions at future Olympic events.
Source: Fox News
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Published: August 5, 2024
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