Health and performance specialists have shared insights into the role of sleep and recovery in achieving sustained success and wellbeing. Speaking at the LEVEL UP Sports Tech Expo in Dubai, experts explained why recovery now sits at the core of modern performance and how sleep can provide a clear competitive advantage.
Industry leaders from the health and fitness sector discussed how quality sleep and structured recovery habits support physical output, mental focus, and long-term health. The discussion focused on practical approaches that apply not only to elite athletes but also to professionals and everyday individuals.
The inaugural LEVEL UP Sports Tech Expo, Dubai’s first event of its kind, was launched by Global MICE Organisation Limited (GMOLx) in partnership with the Dubai Sports Council (DSC). The event welcomed more than 4,000 visitors and featured over 70 speakers. One key panel, Recharge to Perform: The Science of Recovery in Modern Sport, brought together representatives from WHOOP, Eight Sleep, Forus and Hyperice to examine how recovery works in practice.
Panel members addressed the value of usable data, tailored sleep strategies, the role of gut health in recovery, and the need to view recovery as a connected system rather than a single action. The session provided clear guidance on consistency, long-term health, and the role of technology in supporting performance.
The link between sleep and performance
A consistent message emerged during the discussion: sleep is a core part of performance, not an optional extra. Speakers explained that training creates stress on the body, but recovery, led by sleep, allows adaptation and progress. This view reflects a wider change in sport and performance culture, where recovery now underpins long-term results.
Stephan Muller, Director of WHOOP GCC, discussed how access to data has changed recovery awareness. Metrics such as sleep stages, strain, and heart rate variability are now widely available. The challenge lies in using this data well. Muller stressed the importance of focusing on key areas such as sleep consistency, balance between training and recovery, and overall load, rather than reacting to every metric. Data only adds value when it informs better decisions.
Individual needs matter
Rafael Oliveira, Head of International and Partnerships at Eight Sleep, focused on the sleep environment. He explained that sleep quality varies between individuals and cannot be improved through fixed conditions. Body temperature changes through the night, and static environments can disrupt rest. Managing temperature plays a key role in supporting deep and REM sleep, which affect recovery, focus, and general health.
The discussion also moved beyond sleep. Dave Catudal, Co-Founder of Forus, highlighted how gut health and inflammation influence recovery. He noted that modern lifestyles often involve stress, constant stimulation, and poor sleep patterns, which strain the body. Addressing inflammation and gut health can improve sleep quality, resilience, and long-term wellbeing. He explained that supplements support recovery when used alongside consistent routines, not as replacements for healthy habits.
Recovery lessons from elite sport
Remi Vanecht, Head of Education at Hyperice, spoke about recovery as a system. Based on his work with elite athletes, he explained that consistent routines deliver the strongest results. While professionals may use advanced tools, the same principles apply to all. Regular recovery practices and simple daily actions often matter more than new methods.
Panel members also challenged the idea of quick recovery fixes. They encouraged a steady, personalised approach built around habits that people can maintain. Long-term progress starts with sleep and extends to nutrition, movement, and mental health.
The discussion addressed the gap between elite athletes and the wider public. While access to tools may differ, education and awareness help close that gap. Wearables and recovery devices were described as tools that support better choices, not substitutes for discipline or routine.
As the session ended, one message stood out. Performance improves when recovery takes priority. Sleep now sits at the centre of performance planning, supported by data, nutrition, and consistent habits. When recovery works as a whole system, it supports long-term health, stability, and performance.
The Recharge to Perform panel reflected LEVEL UP’s wider aim to create informed discussion about the future of sport. By bringing together voices from across the recovery sector, the session offered practical guidance for athletes, professionals, and everyday performers, showing that strong performance follows when recovery comes first.