Sleep in Collegiate Baseball Players

Sleep is an essential biological function that impacts nearly every aspect of an athlete's physical and mental health. For athletes, the importance of high-quality sleep cannot be overstated, as it plays a critical role in performance, recovery, and overall well-being. Sleep supports muscle recovery by promoting protein synthesis and the release of growth hormones, essential for healing after intense physical exertion. Furthermore, adequate sleep is crucial for maintaining cognitive sharpness, decision-making abilities, and emotional regulation-all of which are necessary for optimal athletic performance. The study will assess both sleep quality and quantity in baseball players at Columbia University. These tools will help quantify key sleep metrics, including sleep duration, latency (the time it takes to fall asleep), and the number of awakenings during the night. Similarly, the study will analyze dietary patterns using the Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Assessment (ASA24), tracking nutrient intake, meal timing, and the consumption of ultra-processed foods. These assessments will establish a baseline from which to measure improvement post-intervention. The intervention will focus on improving diet, time in bed, and light exposure to improve sleep, diet, and performance in collegiate baseball athletes.