Download John Underwood American Athletic Institute

Mental and Physical
Performance
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John Underwood American Athletic Institute
PRESENTER JOHN UNDERWOOD
A former NCAA All-American, International-level distance runner and World
Masters Champion, John has coached or advised more than two dozen Olympians
including World and Olympic Champions. He holds three International Olympic
Solidarity diplomas for coaching and has been a crusader for drug-free sport at all
levels. John’s innovative program “PURE PERFORMANCE”, has gained
international prominence. He is the Chemical Health Consultant for the New York
Public High School Athletic Association drug prevention program. He has
conducted the only physiological case study, of the residual effect of alcohol on
elite athletic performance. John recently spoke at the Department of Justices’
National Leadership Conference. He has appeared as a guest commentator for
ABC Wide World of Sports for Olympic Drug Scandals. John has worked with
nearly all sport federations including the NCAA, NHL, NBA, NFL, the U.S. Olympic
Committee, Sport Canada, the International Olympic Committee and the U.S. Navy
SEALS.
John Underwood
has conducted
nearly 14,000
physiological
tests over the past
20 years on elite
athletes.
The following
slides reflect his
efforts to deter
drug use by
athletes.
Human Performance Project
The single most significant factor in
optimal performance is CNS
readiness…
SLEEP/REM
Sleep is clearly
a predictor of
performance in
skill based
activity.
Blood flow in brain
No sleep
Rest means
Rest…
The CNS can rest
and reboot critical
energy when the
brain function is
minimal…
Energy Drinks
Why athletes should not use them?
Sending signals vast distances from our brain
via our CNS to human muscle, is what athletic
performance is all about. Every aspect of
body function depends on our brain.
Your brain runs your body
Take extra good care of it…
Just like your body , your brain needs time to reboot or rest or recharge
In 24 hours per day
your brain and your
CNS only gets to
rest 1 ½ - 2 ½ hours.
It is during a small
percent of time
during sleep,
known as REM
You cannot overcome
rest/sleep deficits by
using stimulants.
Blood flow in brain
8 hours sleep
No sleep
a large body of converging medical evidence shows that sleep helps
secure memory and learning, mental and physical performance.
“all ran faster and made more shots over a period in which
they slept at least 10 hours a night.” Stanford BB Study
"Athletes who get an extra amount of sleep are very likely to
improve their performance in a game" Stanford BB Study
A Stanford University study may help persuade
at least student athletes to make more time for
sleep.
Cheri Mah, a researcher at Stanford, worked
with basketball players, who all ran faster and
made more shots over a period in which they
slept at least 10 hours a night.
"Athletes who get an extra amount of sleep are
more likely to improve their performance in a
game," says Mah, who released results from an
ongoing study in June. "It's not common
knowledge, because if people understood how
much of a difference (getting more sleep)
could make athletically," they'd incorporate it
more into their lives and not focus solely on
nutrition and exercise.
What will work better, a totally rested brain and CNS or
an exhausted brain and CNS jacked up on stimulants?
The CNS can only be at
maximal intensive level
for physical activity and
function for 2-3 hours
during a 24 hour period
Over stimulation of the Central Nervous System eventually
results in chronic fatigue and breakdown.
Remember all muscle function is dependent on signals sent from the CNS and brain
We can do mental work for up
to 14 hours per day
We can do high level physical work for
up to 2-3 hours per day
The CNS can only be at
maximal intensive level
for physical activity and
function for 2-3 hours
during a 24 hour period
Over stimulation of the Central Nervous System eventually
results in chronic fatigue and breakdown.
ENERGY DRINKS ACTUALLY LIMIT THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN HIGH LEVEL
MENTAL OR PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE RATHER THAN INCREASE IT.
Your choice for optimal
performance begins with being
rested, so you can be at your best.
Anything else isn’t even close…