The Best Way to Improve Performance: Sleep

It’s free, it’s natural, and it’s so easy you can do it lying down, Sleeping, the Los Angeles Times reports, may be the best way to improve athletic performance.  The paper reports on a recent study conducted at the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic and Research Laboratory, that followed six Stanford basketball players, ages 18 to 21,
during their 2006 playing season. For two weeks they followed normal
sleep patterns, then they were told to sleep as much as they could for
six weeks, with a goal of 10 hours a night, and to maintain a regular
sleeping and waking schedule. Sprint times improved by a second by the end of the study (16.3
compared with 15.3 on a 282-foot sprint). Free throws averaged 7.9 (out
of 10) during the regular sleep period, versus 8.8 at the end.
Three-point shots picked up as well, averaging 9.2 (out of 15) during
regular sleep and 11 upon completion. Wait, there’s more, but it’s unsurprising. The Times that after sleeping more the athletes reported increased
energy and improved mood.