Rise and Shine: Risks and Rewards of Morning Practice

Adults have to balance their work schedules with the rest of their lives, which means acclimating themselves to morning or evening workouts. Most working adults don’t participate in competitive team sports with rigorous daily practices and weekly games, so those that work out independently do so on their own terms. But young athletes are bound to the terms of their coaches and programs - many of which prescribe the occasional early morning practice.

Plenty of sports team websites offer opinion on this trend, but it depends on the sport, level and season as far as pros and cons are concerned.

Wake up with the sunrise

Those in favor of holding early morning practices have some valid points. For one, the early start builds team unity - there is something bonding about joining your teammates on the field or court well before anyone else is awake. In the hot summertime, morning practices can also help outdoor sports avoid the heat, which poses its own set of problems. Additionally, some coaches prefer to use a morning workout as a secondary, supplemental or recovery practice. After a cross-country race, for example, some teams follow up with a morning jog to prevent the leg muscles from cramping or becoming overly sore. Finally, instilling a morning practice can force young athletes to follow a strict regiment and learn good scheduling habits.

Get some sleep

On the other hand, opponents of morning practice point to the lack of sleep in adolescents and its detrimental effects. The American Academy of Pediatrics maintained that “chronic sleep loss and associated sleepiness are a serious threat to the academic success, health, and safety of our nation’s youth.” Although that sleep deprivation can be avoided by simply going to bed earlier, many students - especially in college and at private schools - have classes and programs that run into the night. Plus, morning sessions can occur before the sun is up, increasing the dangers of injury in the diminished light. It also makes little sense to spend time outside in the dead of winter during the wee hours of the morning in the frigid cold.

Overall, morning practice can have positive and negative effects. It is important for a coach to monitor the effects early sessions have on his or her team, and act accordingly, using the team websites as a means of collecting feedback.