NBA.com’s Jeff Caplan was the first to break the news that NBA champions, Dallas Mavericks, have recruited the services of Fatigue Science to help with player fatigue analysis and performance optimization:
In the next few days, the Dallas Mavericks will become the first team in the NBA to have their players wear black, digital wristwatches…
The watches will tell when the players are sleeping, and for how long and how deeply they’re doing so. The collected data will quantify how fatigue from training, competing, travel, time-zone adjustments and other variables affect multiple aspects of game-day performance such as reaction time and readiness. The goal is for the Mavericks’ coaches and trainers to pinpoint the causes of fatigue, both team-wide and individually, and adjust travel schedules and training regimens to ensure players get proper sleep.
It’s not just telling guys to get their eight hours of shut-eye, but rather scientifically guiding them.