Taking naps can help athletes feel less tired and more alert, and might boost both their physical and mental performance—making it a handy way to make up for lost sleep at night.

Getting more sleep might help athletes think faster, move better, and improve their game skills — but scientists haven’t studied this as much as things like power naps.

People who take a lot of naps during the day might be more likely to develop heart problems, even if they sleep well at night and aren’t overweight—this could mean their sleep isn’t restful or their heart is under extra stress.

Not getting enough sleep can hurt athletic performance, especially for sports that need quick thinking or precise moves—like tennis or basketball—more than for sports that are mostly about strength or speed, like sprinting.