Sleep quality includes more than just time asleep. It includes the depth and quality of the specific stages of sleep that the brain orchestrates in a precise sequence throughout the night, known as sleep 'architecture'. It includes all the downstream effects of the hormonal and neuronal activity that these stages set in motion. It includes a necessary match between the circadian timing of these events and the day-night cycle, as well as the social and work schedules we impart to this timing. Circadian rhythm shifts and mismatches between our "master" clock and peripheral body tissue cells has been identified recently as a serious cause of the hormonal imbalances that contribute to metabolic syndrome. Restorative brain and cardiometabolic processes must occur with proper timing or emotional and cardiovascular stress will inflate. Aside from the physical performance of the athlete and serious fitness enthusiast, performance means overall wellbeing to the employee, and economic wellbeing to the
employer. (See also
The Economic Benefits ofTreating OSA).
