Football Players Use Travel CPAP for Best Performance
Key Takeaways
-
Up to 34% of NFL linemen suffer from sleep apnea due to their neck size and muscle mass, making it a critical health focus for professional teams.
-
Athletes rely on Travel CPAP machines because they offer waterless humidification and ultra-portability, ensuring 100% compliance even during grueling travel schedules.
-
Untreated sleep apnea cuts off Growth Hormone production and REM cycles, directly reducing an athlete's physical strength, reaction time, and injury resilience.
Football season is in full swing, and we are all gearing up for another exciting year of nail-biting touchdowns and hard-hitting tackles. There’s nothing better than cheering on our favorite team every Sunday, hoping they’ll pull through with a big win.
There’s a lot of pressure put upon football athletes to perform at their highest potential when it’s game time. It’s no surprise that players devote an enormous amount of prep time to ensure they are at their peak every week. Every decision a player makes—from what they eat for breakfast to how much they train on off-days–is made to optimize their performance on game day.
A Good Night's Sleep
Athletes focus on eating well, exercising, studying opposing team film, and constantly practicing. Adding a good night’s sleep to the game preparation has proven to be one of the most essential factors contributing to top performance. However, sleeping through the night isn’t always as easy as some might think. Not surprisingly given their prototypical football player stature, approximately one-third of professional football players suffer from sleep apnea.1
As anyone with a sleep disturbance understands, a poor night’s sleep can have dramatic consequences on sports performance. And an untreated sleep apnea is worse. Athletes with untreated sleep apnea can experience sluggishness, delayed reaction times, difficulty concentrating or staying focused, and increased frustration.
Fortunately, many of these symptoms of sleep apnea can be addressed with sleep therapy and the use of a CPAP machine. That is why several pro athletes rely on these devices to help them get through the season! For its part, Philips Respironics has teamed up with four professional football players. They will help address the importance of sleep and send the message that even elite athletes have sleep apnea. Treating sleep apnea, a dangerous condition if ignored, is best done with the use of a CPAP machine.
The Players' Stories
Center Travis Frederick was diagnosed with sleep apnea at the age of 18. He began using the DreamStation Go recently to stay alert, focused, and full of energy throughout the day. Frederick relies on his CPAP machine to help him improve his focus, maintain high levels of critical thinking, and shorten his reaction time during the game. Using the DreamStation Go helps Frederick perform at his best for every game. Of course, even during off-season, using his DreamStation Go gives Frederick an overall better quality of life through improved sleep.
Similarly, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox always notices a slump in performance if he misses a night of CPAP therapy. The defending champion got tested shortly after a coach informed him that footballs players are often prone to sleep apnea. Once diagnosed, Cox, the consummate elite pro athlete, immediately sought ways to improve both his sleep and his performance on the field. Cox wears the DreamWear Full face mask with his DreamStation Go. The ultra-flexible tube is located at the top of the mask, rather than in the front by the nose, which allows him to sleep comfortably in any position throughout the night. With proper rest each night, Cox is able to stay focused and be a better leader to his teammates.
Studies have shown that the body mass and impressive strength that makes football players so successful can also be a major contributor to developing sleep apnea. As a result, larger pro-players, especially lineman and linebackers, can be even more at risk of developing sleep apnea. Professional linebackers Kyle Von Noy and Bud Dupree both rely on the DreamStation Go to help them get a good night’s sleep while traveling for away games. Both love how the Dreamstation Go’s compact design makes it easy to pack for quick overnight trips. Thanks to this innovative machine, Von Noy doesn't worry about waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air. Instead, he looks forward to going to sleep every night, knowing that he will sleep the whole night without any interruptions.
The CPAP Solution
Sleep has an incredible impact on any athlete’s performance. You may play football, soccer, golf, basketball, or run track. Regardless, the amount of sleep you get each night has a direct impact on how well you perform. It doesn't matter if you are a professional athlete or play a pick-up game on the weekends. If your sleep is being compromised or if you constantly feel tired, you may suffer from sleep apnea. This undoubtedly hinders your ability to play your chosen sport at your highest potential. If you have sleep apnea, using a CPAP machine will have a remarkable impact on your sports performance.
Take it from Kyle Von Noy, Fletcher Cox, Travis Frederick, and Bud Dupree. Using a CPAP device, and in their case the DreamStation Go, is the key to playing at your best!
References:
1. NFL Players Suffer From Sleep Disorders. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=125403&page=1. 2018 Jan 23.
Chris Vasta is the president of The CPAP Shop and an expert in sleep and respiratory therapy. He often provides insights on product design and functionality on various manufacturers’ prototypes and is frequently tapped to provide reviews on new releases.
This post was updated with the latest information in January 2026.
In the high-stakes world of professional sports, recovery is everything. While fans focus on ice baths and nutrition, the biggest performance enhancer in the locker room is often sitting on the nightstand.
In 2026, sleep science has become a cornerstone of athletic training. With organizations like the British & Irish Lions officially partnering with CPAP manufacturers for their 2025 tour, the secret is out: Travel CPAP machines are no longer just medical devices—they are performance multipliers.
The Lineman Statistic
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is surprisingly common in the NFL. While 2-5% of the general population has OSA, studies show that 14% to 19% of all NFL players suffer from it.
-
The High-Risk Group: For offensive and defensive linemen, that number jumps to 34%. The very muscle mass and neck thickness that make them dominant on the field can block their airways at night, leading to chronic oxygen deprivation.
Champions of Sleep: Real Stories from Players
The Legacy of Reggie White (Defensive End)
The conversation about sleep apnea in the NFL began with a tragedy. Hall of Famer Reggie White, known as the "Minister of Defense," passed away prematurely at age 43. His death was partly attributed to complications from untreated sleep apnea and sarcoidosis.
-
The Impact: His passing was a wake-up call for the league. Today, the Reggie White Sleep Disorders Research & Education Foundation works tirelessly to ensure no other player ignores the warning signs of snoring and fatigue.
Percy Harvin (Wide Receiver): The Migraine Connection
For years, dynamic playmaker Percy Harvin suffered from debilitating migraines that forced him to miss practices and games. He collapsed on the field during practice in 2010, leading to a battery of tests.
-
The Breakthrough: Doctors discovered Harvin stopped breathing for 10 seconds at a time during sleep. Once diagnosed with OSA and treated with CPAP, his migraines effectively vanished.
"It’s a 100 percent difference... I’m not waking up groggy. I’m waking up feeling refreshed and ready to go." — Percy Harvin
Ryan Jensen (Center): The Career Saver
Super Bowl champion Ryan Jensen credits his diagnosis with saving his NFL tenure. Before treatment, he was waking up feeling like he had been "hit by a truck" despite sleeping 8 hours. His strength plummeted, and he was nearly cut from the league.
-
The Turnaround: After starting CPAP therapy, Jensen’s strength returned, his weight stabilized, and he went on to become the highest-paid center in the league at the time. His story proves you cannot "train out" a biological sleep disorder.
Aaron Taylor (Offensive Guard): The "Silent Killer"
Super Bowl champion Aaron Taylor has become one of the most vocal advocates for sleep health. He describes his pre-diagnosis life as living in a constant "fog," where he would wake up with bruises on his ribs from his wife elbowing him to breathe.
-
The Advocate: Taylor now calls apnea a "silent killer" and emphasizes that the mental clarity he gained from CPAP was just as important as the physical energy.
Why "Travel" Machines are the MVP
NFL teams spend half their season on the road, sleeping in unfamiliar hotel rooms across different time zones. Hauling a standard, brick-sized humidifier is a hassle that leads to skipped therapy nights.
This is why portable devices like the Resmed AirMini and Transcend Micro have become locker room staples in 2026:
-
Size: These machines are the size of a smartphone, fitting easily into a carry-on or gym bag.
-
Waterless Humidification: They use "heat and moisture exchange" (HME) discs that recycle the moisture from the athlete's own breath, eliminating the need to find distilled water in a hotel at 2 AM.
-
App Connectivity: Trainers and sleep coaches can monitor the player's sleep data remotely via Bluetooth to ensure they are "game-ready."
The 2026 Performance Link
Recent 2025 studies have solidified the link between REM sleep and reaction time.
-
Mental Clarity: During REM sleep, the brain processes the day's playbooks and strategy. A player with untreated apnea misses this stage, leading to slower split-second decisions on the field.
-
Hormonal Recovery: Deep sleep is when the pituitary gland releases growth hormone (HGH) for muscle repair. Skipping CPAP means skipping recovery, increasing the risk of injury.
The CPAP Solution
Sleep has an incredible impact on any athlete’s performance. You may play football, soccer, golf, basketball, or run track. Regardless, the amount of sleep you get each night has a direct impact on how well you perform. It doesn't matter if you are a professional athlete or play a pick-up game on the weekends. If your sleep is being compromised or if you constantly feel tired, you may suffer from sleep apnea. This undoubtedly hinders your ability to play your chosen sport at your highest potential. If you have sleep apnea, using a CPAP machine will have a remarkable impact on your sports performance.
