To put it plainly, sleep apnea is a potentially serious condition where a person’s breathing starts and stops repeatedly during sleep. Categorically, there are three types of this sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea or complex sleep apnea syndrome.
Regardless of the type of sleep apnea, sufferers often snore loudly, gasp for air during the night, and wake feeling unrested. Which can greatly affect the following day’s productivity.
Sleep apnea is often relatively easy to notice, especially if you have a concerned loved one that hears you gasping during the night. However, it’s very important to talk to your doctor if you suspect sleep apnea, as it can have lasting affects on your health.
But, for this post we’ll just be focusing on how untreated or poorly managed sleep apnea affects running performance.