Treeninguni

Treeninguni is a term used in sport psychology to describe the idea of a "training dream"—dreams in which training tasks are rehearsed or visualized during sleep. The word comes from Estonian treening (training) and uni (sleep), though the notion is discussed in other languages as well.

Definition and scope: Treeninguni refers to sleep experiences that incorporate elements of training, such as imagined repetitions of movements, technique checks, or competition scenarios. In practice, it ranges from casual anecdotes to topics studied in cognitive science, and it is generally considered a supplementary, not standalone, method for skill acquisition.

Mechanisms: Proponents link treeninguni to sleep-dependent motor memory consolidation and mental rehearsal. During sleep, motor sequences may be replayed or reinforced, while waking visualization can prime neural pathways. However, direct evidence that dreaming per se improves learning beyond general sleep-related consolidation is limited and mixed.

Applications and evaluation: Some coaches emphasize sleep quality and post-practice reflection to support skill development, treating treeninguni as a potential contextual aid. It is not a substitute for deliberate practice, feedback, or physical training, and individual experiences vary. The concept remains exploratory, with ongoing debate about its practical significance and replicable effects.

Related topics include sleep and dream research, motor learning, mental rehearsal, and sports psychology.