Football Players Use Travel CPAP for Best Performance
Football season is in full swing, and we are all gearing up for another exciting year of nail-biting touchdowns and hard-hitting tackles. There’s nothing better than cheering on our favorite team every Sunday, hoping they’ll pull through with a big win.
There’s a lot of pressure put upon football athletes to perform at their highest potential when it’s game time. It’s no surprise that players devote an enormous amount of prep time to ensure they are at their peak every week. Every decision a player makes—from what they eat for breakfast to how much they train on off-days–is made to optimize their performance on game day.
A Good Night's Sleep
Athletes focus on eating well, exercising, studying opposing team film, and constantly practicing. Adding a good night’s sleep to the game preparation has proven to be one of the most essential factors contributing to top performance. However, sleeping through the night isn’t always as easy as some might think. Not surprisingly given their prototypical football player stature, approximately one-third of professional football players suffer from sleep apnea.1
As anyone with a sleep disturbance understands, a poor night’s sleep can have dramatic consequences on sports performance. And an untreated sleep apnea is worse. Athletes with untreated sleep apnea can experience sluggishness, delayed reaction times, difficulty concentrating or staying focused, and increased frustration.
Fortunately, many of these symptoms of sleep apnea can be addressed with sleep therapy and the use of a CPAP machine. That is why several pro athletes rely on these devices to help them get through the season! For its part, Philips Respironics has teamed up with four professional football players. They will help address the importance of sleep and send the message that even elite athletes have sleep apnea. Treating sleep apnea, a dangerous condition if ignored, is best done with the use of a CPAP machine.
The Players' Stories
Center Travis Frederick was diagnosed with sleep apnea at the age of 18. He began using the DreamStation Go recently to stay alert, focused, and full of energy throughout the day. Frederick relies on his CPAP machine to help him improve his focus, maintain high levels of critical thinking, and shorten his reaction time during the game. Using the DreamStation Go helps Frederick perform at his best for every game. Of course, even during off-season, using his DreamStation Go gives Frederick an overall better quality of life through improved sleep.
Similarly, defensive tackle Fletcher Cox always notices a slump in performance if he misses a night of CPAP therapy. The defending champion got tested shortly after a coach informed him that footballs players are often prone to sleep apnea. Once diagnosed, Cox, the consummate elite pro athlete, immediately sought ways to improve both his sleep and his performance on the field. Cox wears the DreamWear Full face mask with his DreamStation Go. The ultra-flexible tube is located at the top of the mask, rather than in the front by the nose, which allows him to sleep comfortably in any position throughout the night. With proper rest each night, Cox is able to stay focused and be a better leader to his teammates.
Studies have shown that the body mass and impressive strength that makes football players so successful can also be a major contributor to developing sleep apnea. As a result, larger pro-players, especially lineman and linebackers, can be even more at risk of developing sleep apnea. Professional linebackers Kyle Von Noy and Bud Dupree both rely on the DreamStation Go to help them get a good night’s sleep while traveling for away games. Both love how the Dreamstation Go’s compact design makes it easy to pack for quick overnight trips. Thanks to this innovative machine, Von Noy doesn't worry about waking up in the middle of the night gasping for air. Instead, he looks forward to going to sleep every night, knowing that he will sleep the whole night without any interruptions.
The CPAP Solution
Sleep has an incredible impact on any athlete’s performance. You may play football, soccer, golf, basketball, or run track. Regardless, the amount of sleep you get each night has a direct impact on how well you perform. It doesn't matter if you are a professional athlete or play a pick-up game on the weekends. If your sleep is being compromised or if you constantly feel tired, you may suffer from sleep apnea. This undoubtedly hinders your ability to play your chosen sport at your highest potential. If you have sleep apnea, using a CPAP machine will have a remarkable impact on your sports performance.
Take it from Kyle Von Noy, Fletcher Cox, Travis Frederick, and Bud Dupree. Using a CPAP device, and in their case the DreamStation Go, is the key to playing at your best!
References:
1. NFL Players Suffer From Sleep Disorders. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=125403&page=1. 2018 Jan 23.
Chris Vasta is the president of The CPAP Shop and an expert in sleep and respiratory therapy. He often provides insights on product design and functionality on various manufacturers’ prototypes and is frequently tapped to provide reviews on new releases.
