TY - JOUR T1 - Sleep is an important factor when considering rugby union player load JF - British Journal of Sports Medicine JO - Br J Sports Med SP - 1640 LP - 1640 DO - 10.1136/bjsports-2016-097122 VL - 51 IS - 22 AU - Ian C Dunican AU - Peter R Eastwood Y1 - 2017/11/01 UR - http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/51/22/1640.abstract N2 - We read with great interest the paper by Dr Kenneth Quarrie, et al1. The review provides an excellent summary of elite player physical demands, and the nature and measurement of the physical and non-physical loads that underpin these demands. However, we believe that the lack of acknowledgement of sleep as an important contributor to non-physical loads is an oversight. This is because sleep has been shown in many studies to be important for optimal athletic performance (physical and cognitive components) and is recognised as an essential component of recovery.2 Indeed, it is considered by some to be one of a number … ER -