By Frankie Pastor ’20

THE ROUNDUP

Speed, accuracy and timing are among the many talents that athletes possess.

According to webmd.com, it is recommended that someone should receive 8 to 10 hours of sleep.

If these requirements are met, an athlete will enhance their speed, accuracy, timing and endurance that are needed for their sport. Sleep also allows the healing and recovery process to occur during these essential hours.

Practice, competitions and education are included in the many priorities of an athlete,

However, since these priorities are substantial, there is less time available  for sleep since they take the majority of time.

A lack of sleep subjects an athlete’s body and emotions to negative effects.

Someone who does not get enough sleep will experience drowsiness and change in attitude.

“I feel terrible when I do not get enough sleep,” said Jordan Miller ’20 who participates in Brophy’s varsity swim team.  “I feel fatigue and I do not want to play.”

From a coach’s perspective, it is noticeable when an athlete did not receive enough sleep.

“It is noticeable; you can tell when they are not at their 100 percent,” said Mr. Scott Heideman.

Mr. Heideman added that lack of sleep negatively affect a body’s performance.

“With a lack of sleep, it increases their decisions to eat poorly,” Mr. Heideman said. “I attribute it to two things: the students not getting enough rest and them making poor eating decisions. Teens who do not get enough sleep often get depressed, and it affects their memory and affects their motivation. Athletes should get the recommended guideline and that is 8 to 10 hours of sleep.”

“We do a really poor job at recognizing how it is affecting us,” said Mr. Heideman. “The fact that teenagers don’t prioritize sleep at the top of their list just goes to show how valued it is for [young] kids.”