Report: Pac-12 study shows athletes lacking sufficient sleep to study
A recently conducted Pac-12 study of 409 conference athletes concluded that overall sport requirements consume an average of 50 hours per week, leaving athletes "too exhausted to study effectively," reports CBSSports.com's Dennis Dodd.
The study, which was obtained by CBSSports.com and not publicly released, was discussed at a Pac-12 symposium on Friday that was not open to media or the public.
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NCAA student-athletes are prohibited from spending more than 20 hours per week on their respective sport, but the Pac-12 survey showed not only a slight violation with an average of 21 hours, but the additional 29 hours accounting for the 50 total per week coming from voluntary practices, medical treatment and traveling.
Travel is not an insignificant issue in the Pac-12, perhaps the most far-flung league among the Power 5 conferences.
Lack of sleep was the No. 1 drawback to participating in athletics, the survey concluded. More than half of the respondents (55 percent) said sleep would be the No. 1 priority if they were granted an extra hour during the day.
"Some athletes report waking up at 5 a.m. to get to practice on time," the study said, "and then stay up late after evening practices to finish their homework and attend vital tutoring sessions."
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Other conclusions from the Pac-12 study showed that 80% of conference athletes said they missed a class for a game last season, 54% said they don't have enough time to study for tests and 73% said they felt voluntary activities were often considered mandatory.
- Mike Fiammetta
