📚 Upside Studies: (1) Brain Endurance Training (2) WNBA Study: Talent & Team Performance in the WNBA (3) WNBA/NBA Study: Differences in Player Performance & Longevity After Achilles Tendon Rupture
🧠 Upside Study: Brain Endurance Training Improves Physical, Cognitive, and Multitasking Performance in Professional Football Players
The study aimed to evaluate whether Brain Endurance Training (BET)—cognitive tasks designed to induce mental fatigue—when added after standard physical training, could improve endurance, decision-making, attention under fatigue, and multitasking skills in professional footballers more than physical training alone.
The rationale: football requires continuous decision-making, quick reactions, and mental resilience. Mental fatigue, whether from gameplay, travel, or off-pitch stressors, has been shown to impair aerobic capacity, decision-making, technical skills, and vigilance. BET was developed to strengthen the brain’s ability to sustain high performance under such fatigue.
h et al. (2021) provides a comprehensive review of existing research on sleep in athletes, highlights the impact of sleep inadequacies on performance, and offers practical strategies to improve sleep outcomes. This summary delves into the study's findings, statistics, and recommendations for addressing sleep-related challenges in athletic populations.
Authors:
Walter Staiano,1,2 Michele Merlini,3 Marco Romagnoli,1 Ulrich Kirk,2 Christopher Ring,4 and Samuele Marcora3,5
1 Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain;
2 Department of Psychology, Biological and Cognitive Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark;
3 School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom;
4 School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom;
5 Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
First Published Online: Nov. 11, 2022
You can download the full PDF study by clicking on the button below:
Study: Key Findings and Statistics
Methods
Participants: 22 male professional football players (Italian third division, average age 22.4).
Design: 4-week preseason program, with both groups completing 40 physical training sessions.
Groups:
BET Group (n=13): Completed 20–30 minutes of mentally demanding tasks immediately after the last daily physical session, 4–5 days/week. Tasks included the flanker task, go/no-go task, and AX-continuous performance test via SOMA-NPT.
Control Group (n=9): Listened to emotionally neutral sounds for the same duration/frequency.
Testing Protocol
Players were tested pre- and post-intervention across:
Physical Tests
30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test (IFT) – measures intermittent endurance.
Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA) Random Test – sprints requiring directional decisions based on visual cues.
Cognitive Tests
Stroop Test – measures response inhibition and reaction time.
Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) – measures sustained attention in both fresh and fatigued states.
Multitasking Test
Soccer-Specific Reactive Agility Test (S-RAG) – measures agility, reaction to stimuli, and visuomotor coordination under fatigue.
Physiological metrics (heart rate, lactate) and psychological measures (motivation, perceived workload) were also recorded.
Results & Key Insights
1. BET Boosted Endurance Despite Preseason Fatigue
IFT Results: BET group maintained endurance performance, while the control group declined—suggesting BET made players more resilient to possible overreaching during intense preseason training.
Possible Mechanism: Adaptations in the anterior cingulate cortex may reduce perception of effort and mental fatigue impact.
2. Cognitive Gains Were Most Evident Under Fatigue
Stroop Test:
BET players improved reaction times by 11% (vs. 4% for control), with accuracy remaining ~94%.
Task was perceived as less mentally demanding and required less effort post-BET.
PVT Results:
In the fresh state: no difference between groups.
In the fatigued state (post-RSA test): BET group had 42% fewer lapses post-intervention, while control group showed no change.
Interpretation: BET appears to enhance inhibitory control and attention when mental resources are depleted—critical during late-game situations.
3. Multitasking Performance Improvements Were Substantial
RSA Directional Phase: BET players were significantly faster in responding to directional cues after sprints.
S-RAG:
BET players improved times by 8.9%, vs. 4.3% in control.
Errors dropped 69% for BET, vs. 21% for control.
Practical Relevance: Enhanced ability to process visual information and make quick, accurate decisions while fatigued could directly impact match performance in defensive and attacking transitions.
4. Cognitive Load Without Physical Overload
The BET protocol increased the perceived mental demand of training by 28% without changing the physical load (same HR zones, same lactate levels, similar effort ratings for physical work).
This makes BET valuable for injury prevention scenarios—raising total training load without increasing musculoskeletal stress.
Best Quotes from the Paper
“The inclusion of BET during the preseason seems more effective than standard physical training alone in improving the physical, cognitive, and multitasking performance of professional football players.”
“Post BET increased the perceived mental demand of training by 28% without affecting the quality or quantity of physical training.”
“BET improved psychomotor vigilance in a fatigued state… lapses during this vigilance task are a more sensitive indicator of alertness than simple reaction time.”
“Improved inhibitory control in conditions of mental fatigue may be particularly beneficial in terms of players’ behavior on the pitch.”
“Faster reaction times and fewer errors in reactive agility may translate to better performance in football, where reactive agility during intense phases of the game is an important skill.”
“Higher cognitive load during 4 weeks of training is associated with better improvements in physical, cognitive, and multitasking performance.”
Practical Applications for Coaches and Practitioners
Integrate BET in Preseason: Improves endurance resilience, cognitive performance under fatigue, and reactive agility.
Safe Load Management: Increases training stimulus without extra physical strain—valuable for load-sensitive players.
Match Performance Transfer: Likely benefits decision-making, defensive reactions, and offensive creativity during high-intensity match phases.
Rehabilitation & Return-to-Play: Can maintain cognitive and endurance adaptations when physical training volume is reduced.
Conclusion
This study provides strong initial evidence that BET, even in short 20–30 minute doses after training, can significantly enhance professional footballers’ resilience to mental fatigue, improve cognitive performance under pressure, and sharpen multitasking abilities critical to match play. Its application extends beyond football to other team sports and even military or tactical professions where decision-making under fatigue is paramount.
🏀 Upside Study: Courting Greatness – Evaluation of the Relationship Between Talent and Team Performance in the WNBA.
Introduction
The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has a unique competitive structure—smaller rosters, a shorter season, and a hard salary cap—which creates a distinct environment for team building and performance optimization. This study, Courting Greatness, set out to explore how elite talent concentration—defined as the proportion of a team’s production coming from the top 10% of league players—affects both regular season success and playoff outcomes. By comparing 21 seasons of WNBA data (1997–2017) with similar analyses from the NBA and NFL, the authors sought to understand whether the league’s structural features amplify the value of top-tier players and to provide evidence-based guidance for roster construction strategies.
Authors:
Sabina M. Patel1 , Sarah Napoli1 , Ketura Balabyekkubo1 , Joseph R. Keebler1 , and Elizabeth H. Lazzara
1 Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, USA
First Published Online: 2025
You can download the full PDF study by clicking on the button below:
Full Summary
Study Purpose
The research investigates how the distribution of elite talent impacts team success in the WNBA, comparing the magnitude of this effect with the NBA and NFL. The authors focus on whether concentrating a higher share of the league’s top players on one team leads to significantly better regular season winning percentages and playoff outcomes.
Data & Methodology
Dataset: 21 seasons of WNBA play (1997–2017) covering all 12 franchises.
Talent Measurement:
Win Shares (WS) used as the metric for individual player value.
“Elite” or “top talent” defined as players in the 90th percentile of league-wide WS for that season.
Talent Concentration Index calculated as the proportion of a team’s total WS accounted for by elite players.
Performance Outcomes:
Regular season: Winning percentage.
Postseason: Likelihood of reaching the Finals and winning the championship.
Comparative Analysis: Benchmarked against similar metrics from NBA (2000–2017) and NFL (2000–2017) to see if league structure changes the strength of the talent–performance link.
Key Insights & Statistics
1. Talent Concentration is a Primary Driver of Success in the WNBA
Teams with a higher share of their WS coming from top-tier players consistently posted higher win percentages.
The effect was stronger in the WNBA than in the NBA or NFL because:
Smaller rosters (12 vs. 15 in NBA, 53 in NFL).
Shorter season (34 games vs. 82 in NBA, 16 in NFL).
Greater per-player impact on team performance.
2. Elite Players Deliver Large Marginal Gains
One additional elite player could raise a WNBA team’s win percentage by 12–15 percentage points (e.g., from .500 to ~.620).
This effect size is 50–80% greater than in the NBA (approx. +8–9%) and 3–4× greater than in the NFL (approx. +4%).
In a short season, this boost equates to 5–6 extra wins, which often determines playoff qualification.
3. Talent Distribution and Playoff Success are Closely Linked
The top quartile of WNBA teams in talent concentration were:
4× more likely to reach the Finals than teams in the bottom quartile.
3× more likely to win the championship.
Across the 21 seasons studied, nearly all champions had multiple players in the top 10% of WS for that year.
4. Talent Gaps are Magnified in WNBA Context
Even a small difference in talent concentration can swing competitive balance due to the low number of games and fewer substitution options during games.
This makes roster-building decisions more impactful—and mistakes more costly—than in other leagues.
5. Roster Construction Strategy Implications
Superstar-centric roster building appears more effective than spreading salary and minutes evenly across mid-tier players.
Due to the WNBA’s hard salary cap, retaining elite talent requires both careful cap management and strong player relationships.
Front offices should prioritize:
Drafting and developing elite-caliber players.
Trading for or retaining multiple top 10% WS contributors.
Minimizing “dead roster spots” that contribute little to WS.
Best Quotes from the Study
“In the WNBA, talent concentration plays an outsized role in determining team outcomes compared to other major leagues.”
“A single elite player in the WNBA can swing a team’s season more dramatically than in the NBA or NFL, due to smaller rosters and shorter schedules.”
“Given the league’s structural constraints, front offices that secure and retain top-tier talent stand to gain disproportionately in both regular season and postseason performance.”
“Talent disparities are amplified in the WNBA’s competitive environment, where the margin for error is razor-thin.”
“The combination of a compressed schedule and smaller rosters magnifies the on-court influence of each player, especially those in the elite tier.”
“Over the 21 seasons analyzed, the overwhelming majority of championship teams possessed multiple players in the 90th percentile of league win shares.”
Conclusion
The Courting Greatness study offers compelling evidence that in the WNBA, talent concentration is the single most powerful predictor of team success. The smaller rosters, shorter seasons, and hard salary cap amplify the impact of each elite player, making roster construction decisions particularly consequential. Compared to the NBA and NFL, the marginal returns from acquiring or retaining a top-tier player are substantially greater, and losing such a player can cause a dramatic decline in win percentage and playoff prospects. For front offices, the strategic imperative is clear: secure, retain, and maximize the contributions of multiple elite players while managing the salary cap effectively. Doing so not only boosts regular season win totals but also greatly enhances the likelihood of postseason glory.
🏀 Upside Study: Differences in Player Performance and Longevity After Achilles Tendon Rupture Between Professional Basketball Players in the NBA and WNBA
Introduction
Achilles tendon ruptures are widely recognized as one of the most severe injuries in professional basketball, often threatening an athlete’s career due to the explosive demands of the sport. The injury is associated with prolonged rehabilitation, a high risk of performance decline, and shortened careers. While a considerable body of research exists on Achilles ruptures in NBA players, far less is known about the impact on WNBA athletes.
This study sought to directly compare return-to-play (RTP) rates, career longevity, availability, and performance metrics after Achilles tendon rupture in NBA and WNBA players. By analyzing 30 years of injury and performance data, the authors aimed to uncover whether there are meaningful differences between the two leagues and provide insight into how athletes at the highest level recover from such a devastating injury.
Authors:
David A. Momtaz,* MPH, BS, Abdullah Ghali,* y MD, Farhan Ahmad,* MD, Rishi Gonuguntla,* BSA, Rebecca J. Wang,* BSA, Reid Yanney,* BS, Ashley Lao,* BSA, Varun Bora,* BS, and Theodore B. Shybut,* MD Investigation performed at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
First Published Online: 2024
You can download the full PDF study by clicking on the button below:
Study Design & Methods
Population: 44 professional basketball players — 33 from the NBA, 11 from the WNBA.
Time Frame: 1992–2022.
Injury Criteria: Players with confirmed, full-thickness Achilles tendon rupture requiring surgical repair.
Data Sources: Publicly available injury reports, media articles, team announcements, and basketball performance databases.
Performance Metrics:
Availability: Games per season and minutes per game.
Efficiency: Player Efficiency Rating (PER).
Longevity: Seasons played after RTP.
Comparison: Pre-injury averages (three seasons before injury) vs. post-injury averages (all seasons after RTP).
Key Findings & Stats
1. Return-to-Play Rates
NBA: 66.7% (22 of 33) returned to competition after Achilles rupture.
WNBA: 81.8% (9 of 11) returned.
WNBA athletes had a notably higher RTP rate, which may reflect differences in league structure, player motivation, or medical management.
2. Career Longevity After Return
NBA: Average 2.6 seasons after RTP.
WNBA: Average 2.8 seasons after RTP.
No statistically significant difference, but both groups had careers shortened compared to uninjured peers.
3. Availability Declines
Games Per Season:
NBA: Declined from 66.3 to 39.3 (−41%).
WNBA: Declined from 28.9 to 17.6 (−39%).
Minutes Per Game:
NBA: Dropped from 26.4 to 18.7 (−29%).
WNBA: Dropped from 25.4 to 18.9 (−26%).
The magnitude of decline was similar between leagues, suggesting that physical limitations post-injury affect both male and female players comparably.
4. Performance Declines (Player Efficiency Rating)
NBA: PER fell from 15.3 to 11.3 (−26%).
WNBA: PER fell from 14.2 to 11.5 (−19%).
WNBA players showed a slightly smaller performance drop, which may point to differences in style of play, role adjustment, or recovery approach.
5. Broader Observations
Achilles rupture led to immediate and sustained reductions in playing time and productivity, even for players who returned.
High RTP rates in the WNBA suggest resilience, but the reduced game load (shorter season) may also influence recovery outcomes.
Performance impacts were lasting—few players regained pre-injury efficiency levels.
Best Quotes from the Study
“Achilles tendon rupture remains one of the most devastating injuries for professional basketball players, with significant reductions in both playing time and performance after return to play.”
“Despite the smaller roster sizes and fewer contractual guarantees, WNBA athletes demonstrated higher return-to-play rates compared with their NBA counterparts.”
“Although the magnitude of decline in games played and minutes per game was similar across leagues, WNBA players exhibited a marginally smaller decline in performance metrics post-injury.”
“The findings highlight the durability and resilience of WNBA players in returning to elite-level competition following Achilles tendon rupture.”
Conclusion
This study reinforces the reality that Achilles tendon rupture has career-altering consequences for professional basketball players, regardless of league. Both NBA and WNBA athletes experienced substantial reductions in availability, minutes, and performance following RTP, with average career length shortened by more than half compared to healthy peers.
However, the data also reveal an important distinction: WNBA players demonstrated higher return-to-play rates and slightly smaller declines in efficiency than NBA players. These findings may reflect differences in rehabilitation strategies, league schedules, or athlete adaptability.
For teams, medical staff, and performance practitioners, the implications are clear:
Rehabilitation protocols must address not just physical healing but also workload management and role adaptation.
Expectations for post-injury performance should be realistic, with awareness that efficiency and availability typically remain below pre-injury levels.
Further research into sex-specific recovery patterns could inform better injury prevention and rehabilitation strategies across professional basketball.
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