Fame and fortune are the main benefits that await NBA superstardom, but there are downsides too, and they can be serious, according to Tobias Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers. In his case, the Sixers forward admitted he suffers from sleep deprivation, and he blames the grueling game schedules.
If NFL players run the risk of suffering a concussion during game time, Harris said it's the lack of sleep that could potentially bring down NBA players. For him, the threat is real or as serious as the cases of brain injuries seen picked up by NFL players in bruising football games.
"The thing I talk about is sleep. I think in a couple years, [sleep deprivation] will be an issue that's talked about, like the NFL with concussions," Yahoo Sports reported the Sixers star as saying.
Medical doctors have confirmed, the same report said that professional athletes indeed suffer from insufficient sleep, which is not hard to imagine in the NBA. Teams are required to play 82 regular games that bring players to different cities and sports arenas, leading to fewer chances of catching shut-eyes.
Then there's the element of pressure when the playoffs kick in. The physical punishment of the campaigns to win takes their toll on NBA players who are lucky enough to be afforded a few hours of sleep. This is truer in back-to-back games, which likely are the pressure-cooker times that Harris is alluding to.
Yahoo said that due to the "shift work" that is in effect in the NBA, players find it hard to "stick to a regimented daily schedule." Add to this is the constant traveling that experts said disrupts a human's circadian rhythms, which in turn are regarded by doctors as a potential human carcinogen.
Essentially, NBA players can be lumped with other professionals with similar work cycle such as emergency health workers, military personnel, law enforcers, and pilots. They all lack sleep, and the condition will impact on testosterone levels.
Per the same report, up to 64% of testosterone drops can be attributed to sleep deprivation, and for NBA players, it increases the possibility of suffering serious injuries.
A number of colleagues in the NBA seem to agree with Harris, Clutch Points said in a related report. Hassan Whiteside of the Portland Trail Blazers has affirmed that in going through the regular season of the league, it's next to impossible to enjoy a good night's sleep.
Most likely, this is the reason LeBron James follows a strict routine when it comes to his sleeping habits. The same report said the Lakers superstar keeps a safe distance on any form of electronic devices 45 minutes before bedtime, and with the way he is playing, it can be said that the self-imposed rule is paying off.
