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Vancouver Canucks post-game coverage: Coach John Tortorella and his Readiband

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We caught new Vancouver Canucks coach, John Tortorella, wearing his Readiband in the post-game coverage after the Canucks pre-season win over the Coyotes on September 23rd.

Between busy game schedules, practice, training and challenging travel requirements it’s not uncommon these days to hear professional athletes and teams declare fatigue as a major factor in poor game performance. Since 2009, the Vancouver Canucks have been using Fatigue Science’s Readiband and FAST (Fatigue Avoidance Scheduling Tool) to manage fatigue and calculate performance at game time. Since that time, the Vancouver Canucks have become one of the best road-game performing teams in the NHL by getting objective scientific data in order to make smarter travel decisions.With a new coach and Readibands on hand, we’re looking forward to seeing what this next season will bring for the Vancouver Canucks in their quest for the Stanley Cup.

 

Vancouver Canucks’ GM Mike Gillis talks about fatigue and travel schedules

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The Vancouver Canucks have a tough road schedule this year. Appearing on Team 1040 President and General Manager of the Canucks, Mike Gillis outlined their fatigue management plan for the year. At Fatigue Science we have been providing sleep and fatigue technology and services to the Canucks for the past 5 seasons. The results speak for themselves. Using our fatigue management system the Canucks have a road record that is the envy of the NHL, particularly the west coast teams. After more than 40 years the Canucks, using our system, lead the entire NHL in road wins.

In all sports, travelling is fatiguing but travelling from West to East is the worst kind of travel. It robs players of valuable sleep and slows their reaction time. Mike Gillis points out that our fatigue management system can keep players above 90% effectiveness and improve player reaction time. It’s a matter of gathering the best scientific sleep and fatigue data using our ReadiBands and applying travel solutions to give players the opportunity to sleep when they need to. Teams and athletes in all sports are beginning to realize the competitive advantage great sleep gives them.

Source:  Team 1040 radio interview with the BRO JAKE SHOW

Performance and sleep: Be at the top of your game

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Your “peak performance” level does not have to be an illusive physical state. Diet and exercise are just two of the three pillars of performance. The third pillar is sleep.

Your performance is directly related to your sleep, and not just the amount, but the quality as well. When the Vancouver Canucks first started working with Fatigue Science, they purchased exclusive rights in the NHL to use the most accurate system available to address this issue. After working with Fatigue Science and using the Readiband for two weeks, there were two key findings:

First, you can dramatically improve your performance as a team on the road if you create a plan to manage fatigue. The plan is only valid if it is based on personalized sleep data.  No two players play the same, the same is true of their sleep in relationship to performance.

Secondly, self-reported sleep data is inaccurate. There are dozens of sleep disorders that exist and many people, including professional athletes, don’t even realize they might be suffering from one.

In a video featured in a recent article by TechVibes, Darcy Hordichuk describes the surprising findings of his team mates on the Vancouver Canucks.

The Vancouver Canucks are not the only ones with a gruelling schedule. In an article published today, the LA Galaxy are clearly facing this common and detrimental problem.

The pressure on professional athletes to perform is immense. There are teams of people managing their nutritional needs and their every move in order to maximize training and performance, but most are missing the biggest piece of the puzzle.

5 great benefits of sleep

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We all know we feel better when we sleep, but the benefits of sleep go far beyond a feel-good day at the office. Here are my top 5 reasons to get your 8 hours a night:

5. Get cat-like reflexes – You don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy beating your buddies at hockey. Need proof? Ask the Canucks what they think.

4. Find your keys – I’m serious, getting enough sleep can improve your memory. Check out this Scientific American podcast if you don’t believe me.

3. Lose weight – Turns out sleep has a direct impact on your weight.  A recent study shows that “women who slept 5 hours per night were 32% more likely to experience major weight gain (an increase of 33 pounds or more) and 15% more likely to become obese over the course of the 16-year study” .

2. Be better looking –  A story published by Men’s Health takes a look at some interesting effects of sleep apnea.  Turns out the patients who had been diagnosed with the sleep disorder were deemed “more attractive” after treatment.

1. You’ll have more friends – Another insight from Men’s Health makes reference to a study that shows you may be more likely to stereotype others if you are tired.  Specifically, your self-control is affected by a lack of sleep, and it is gets progressively worse.

Even if you think you are getting 8 hours a night, most people greatly underestimate the amount of sleep they are getting.  Many people suffering from sleep-deprivation have no idea why.  Trust your instincts, if you feel tired, grumpy and have a hard time finding your keys, your first steps should be to look to your personal sleep data.  You could be missing out on a better-looking, nicer, more popular you.