This installment of The Neuro Athletics newsletter is free for everyone. I send this email to our coaches and athletics twice a week. If you would also like to receive it, join the 18,000 other coaches and athletes today.
Neuro Athletes,
Sleep deprivation and lack of quality sleep education should be a national emergency in the United States. In America, 70% of adults report that they obtain insufficient sleep at least one night a month, and 11% report insufficient sleep every night.
It is estimated that sleep-related problems affect 50 to 70 million Americans of all ages and socioeconomic classes. Sleep disorders are common in both men and women; however, important disparities in prevalence and severity of certain sleep disorders have been identified in minorities and underserved populations.
There are many statistics that point out just how sleep illiterate our society is currently:
An estimated seven percent of all motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. and 16 percent of fatal crashes involve driver drowsiness (source).
More than 87 percent of high school students in the United States get far less than the recommended eight to 10 hours, and the amount of time they sleep is decreasing — a serious threat to their health, safety and academic success (source).
Energy drink consumption in the United States has increased substantially over the past decade among adolescents, young adults, and middle-aged adults (source)
These are just some of the statistics that highlight how bad the problem has become. There are plenty more. Here is the craziest part in my opinion — most coaches in amateur and professional sport still don’t understand the physiology and science of sleep and don’t include it in a protocol for their athletes.
While counterintuitive, here is what the data says:
Shooting accuracy improved, with free throw percentage increasing by 9% and 3-point field goal percentage increasing by 9.2% with sleep extension of 10 hours.
Rather than waste time complaining about the lack of sleep protocols within sports, I have decided to do something about it.
I have recently the launched an exclusive, members-only newsletter which includes:
Well-researched and in-depth manuscripts that focus on the latest studies in neuroscience we found most interesting, with notes, comments and related links.
Access to the private Q&A Louisa does with her guests that are not published on the public podcast feed.
The very first manuscript goes out next week which is on the Neurobiology of Sleep in Athletic Performance. A detailed 10 page manuscript dedicated to understanding sleep from its origin to the neurology of sleep and will have a heavy focus on performance.
For early birds who want to take advantage of this offer, you can sign up now for $19/ month.
The goal is simple. We want to increase players performance, decrease injury and have a healthy performing brain. We cannot do this without educating ourselves.
Matteo Franceschetti is the co-founder and CEO of Eight Sleep, asleep fitness company that make products that improve your sleep through personalized temperature, smarter data, and patented technology.
In this conversation, Matteo and I discuss:
Temperature and sleep
The use of technology to improve sleep
The data on weighted blankets
Napping—Is there an ideal duration?
Difference between REM and SWS sleep
I hope you enjoy this Q&A I did !
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE
Thanks again for supporting Neuro Athletics. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share it with your friends, or better yet, subscribe.
For newsletter feedback or anything else you can reach me at louisa@neuroathletics.com.au.
Sleep Deprivation Is A National Emergency