Bournemouth start using SleepSpecs

Bournemouth’s squad have started using SleepSpecs - scientifically engineered glasses that use amber lenses to help reduce the effect blue light has on sleep patterns.

Research has shown that the blue light present in electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and televisions suppresses the production of sleep hormone melatonin.

Players are encouraged to wear the glasses for two hours before they go to bed to filter out this blue light and aid the natural production of melatonin. SleepSpec is a South African company, based in Sandton, that was set up by specialist ophthalmologist Dr Robert Daniel.

Fellow South African Dr Craig Roberts, the head of sports medicine at Bournemouth, introduced the product to the Premier League outfit.

Roberts explained: ”Sleep is being increasingly recognised as a game changer for sportsmen – both on the field and in terms of recovery. Sleep is when the body repairs itself.

“If a player does not get enough sleep, they will not perform to their optimum level. Many of our players spend long hours in hotel rooms and for entertainment they often watch television or play computer games.

“The consequence of this is that they then struggle to get to sleep once they go to bed, which subsequently affects their performance on the pitch.

"We believe that getting the players to use SleepSpec will allow them to have their down time without the negative consequences."

Dr Daniel explained that the body clock is controlled by the circadian rhythm - the 24-hour cycle of day and night, which controls sleep patterns and is adapted to the earth’s natural rhythm of day and night.

"At night, as the sun sets, the body produces melatonin, which is needed to prepare the body to sleep," he told Bournemouth's official website.

"When the sun rises, light – in particular blue light – increases, stopping the production of melatonin and stimulating the production of cortisol, causing the body to wake up.