A study of Stanford basketball players reveals how getting more sleep improves athlete sprint times, shooting accuracy, vigor, and physical and mental well-being during practices and games.
Many of the world’s greatest athletes eat, sleep, breathe and live for their sport. But, in addition to physical conditioning and conscious eating, sleep plays a major role in athletic performance and competitive results. Lebron James, named by Forbes as the Most Powerful Athlete in the World, averages 12 hours of sleep each day.
With frequent travel durations ranging from 3-5 days per week, once to twice per month across time zones in different cities within the same state during the collegiate basketball season, college athletes have little control over their sleep-wake times. Consequently, athletes are unable to obtain the recommended 10 hours of nocturnal sleep, and performance results show declines in shooting accuracy, reaction time, overall well-being, and mental approach to performance.
Table of Contents
Improved Sleep & Quicker Physical Recovery
Just this week, Las Vegas Aces players opted to cancel a game after spending 25 hours en route to Washington, DC because of three flight mechanical failures followed by a cancellation. The Aces then split their team up on separate overnight flights to Dallas, arriving in Washington around 2:45 p.m. ET, hours before tip-off.
Citing lack of sleep and risk of injury, Aces players opted to cancel the game. Just days later, the WNBA ruled the game a forfeit, delivering a crushing blow to the team’s playoff chances.
An athlete’s mental approach is crucial for both training and competition. With an increase in total sleep time, Stanford’s study showed athletes reported improved self-perception of performance during practices and games, quicker physical recovery, improved weight training and conditioning, and fewer injuries.
Whether first-class or business-class, collegiate basketball players are not going to fit comfortably in a commercial airliner further inhibiting the likelihood of sleep. Findings show obtaining extra sleep has beneficial effects on an athlete’s overall well-being recovery and performance. Private jet travel not only provides athletes with ample leg room but also with in-flight privacy from adoring fans affording athletes an environment suitable for sleeping.
Flexibility & Efficiency
One of the many benefits of a private team air charter is a dedicated aircraft on stand-by available and waiting to transport your student-athletes back to school, quickly and efficiently. When flying privately, teams can avoid congested airports and arrive minutes instead of hours before the flights and avoid long TSA, check-in, and baggage claim lines. Mechanical delays, cancellations, and missed flights due to lengthy overtime are obsolete. Traditional airlines, cannot accommodate this degree of flexibility.
Improved Game Performance
PJS has serviced 17 Stanley Cup champions, 10 World Series champions, and 50 NCAA champions over the last three decades. Many of our sports teams are looking to create every advantage they can to maximize every opportunity for the athlete and increased sleep and reduced travel fatigue top the list.
An athlete’s goal is to maintain their performance throughout the long season and ward off the effects of fatigue and wear on their bodies. Following an exhausting game, studies show sleep is a primary driver of physical and mental recovery and improved game performance. The private jet charter helps alleviate the stress that typically accompanies frequent travel. While aboard, lanky players can refuel with the assistance of a team nutritionist while receiving ample leg room in first-class conditions. Private jet travel results in reduced travel time, comfortable seating, nutritional food, and restful sleep to improve overall game performance.