Your athletic performance depends not only on the way you train but also on the way you rest. That's why fitness coaches from around the world now pay more attention to the amount of sleep you get. After an intense training session, the body requires rest for your gains to show. During the workout, the muscle cells break down, which gets repaired when we sleep. So it's really important to get adequate sleep and take regular naps for muscle gain and fat loss. How to Get Good Sleep? Expert Lays Down Tips to Sleep Your Way to a Healthy Life.

Sleep is the best supplement which you can give to your body to recover. When you perform heavy compound exercises like deadlifts and squats, you may experience muscles soreness. It's a sign that your body is building your muscles after you have broken them down.

Even if there's no sign of soreness, one needs to rest for better recovery and good development. Whenever we train our body, actin and myosin filaments work together. Myosin comes in contact with actin by generating force, which happens due to the release of mechanical energy known as Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).

This process creates a breakdown in myocytes which needs to be repaired by taking protein after a workout. However, major growth depends upon how you give your body rest by giving it adequate sleep. Sufficient Sleep in Childhood May Lead to Healthy Weight Gain in Adolescence, Suggests New Study.

A proper good night's sleep not only helps in muscle development but also aids in fat loss and performance. If you are well-rested after adequate sleep, you can perform intense workout sessions better. In sleep, there are two parameters, light sleep and deep sleep. The latter one should be on a higher side for your gains to show.

When we sleep, the Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) of the body improves. RMR is the rate at which the body burns calories at rest while performing basic function like breathing, circulating blood, etc. Nowadays, we have applications on cellphones that help track our sleep.

So if you are not seeing any difference despite working out, make a note of your sleeping habits. Rest adequately apart from following the right diet and workout regimen. You'll be surprised how much it affects your athletic performance.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2019 05:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).