More Sleep Is a Slam Dunk

Sleep loss may impair athletic performance. Sleep extension may improve performance in sleep-deprived athletes. In elite sports, where the slightest edge can make a difference in individual and team success, ways to improve performance are of great interest to athletes and teams. In the presented case, a male basketball player sought to improve his free throw shooting accuracy. With a disciplined approach to sleeping longer periods of time each night over a 12-week period, there was a substantial improvement in free throw percentage, sleepiness, and self-reported confidence in making free throws. This result is consistent with an extensive literature showing that improving sleep can improve athletic performance.