Memory Consolidation in Sleep

This chapter aims to explain the process of memory consolidation during sleep for motor skills. Basically, memory is remembered explicitly (consciously and voluntarily) or implicitly (unconsciously), and a distinction is made accordingly between declarative and non-declarative memory. The different memory systems are also associated with different sleep-related consolidation mechanisms. Numerous studies have demonstrated, using different experimental approaches, that motor memory formation is supported by different sleep stages depending on the skill level. However, the often demonstrated sleep-accompanying “offline” learning gains seem to be small for sports-relevant movement sequences, so that concrete recommendations for sports practice can certainly be discussed controversially.