The health and wellness of coaches in the NBA is gaining increasing attention, with teams recognizing the importance of ensuring their coaching staff operate at an optimum level. The demanding lifestyle of an NBA coach, characterized by late nights, irregular eating habits, inadequate sleep, and intense pressure, can significantly impact their physical and mental well-being. Coaches like Frank Vogel, along with others such as Dwane Casey, Brad Stevens, and Fred Hoiberg, strive to find a balance between their demanding careers and their personal lives, often prioritizing family time.
The Demands of Coaching and the Need for Balance
The coaching lifestyle in the NBA is not conducive to healthy living. Late nights, poor eating and drinking habits, inadequate sleep and the high-stakes pressure of winning can take a toll mentally and physically.
The National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA) is actively addressing these concerns by providing resources and guidance to promote coaches' well-being. This includes quarterly health and wellness bulletins with advice on proper diet, sleeping and exercise tips. Stacy Goldberg, the NBCA's health and wellness consultant, offers personalized support and information to help coaches integrate healthy practices into their demanding lives.
The Importance of Work-Life Balance
Several coaches, such as Dwane Casey, Brad Stevens, Fred Hoiberg and Frank Vogel, try to find a work-life balance through family. When they can, they like to pick up kids from school, have dinner with family or put kids to bed. Stepping away from work is good for the mind and body.
Finding time for family and activities outside of basketball is crucial for maintaining mental and physical health. As Steve Kerr noted, learning from coaches like Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich about the importance of diverse interests and family life has significantly influenced his approach to coaching.
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Nutritional Strategies for NBA Coaches
Given the demanding schedules and travel requirements, NBA coaches need practical and effective nutritional strategies to maintain their health and energy levels.
General Dietary Recommendations
The NBCA sends quarterly health and wellness bulletins with advice on proper diet, sleeping and exercise tips and hired Stacy Goldberg as its health and wellness consultant.
These resources emphasize the importance of a balanced diet that provides sustained energy, supports recovery, and minimizes the risk of health issues.
Protein Intake
Sufficient protein (1.6-2.2 g/kg/day) should be consumed with optimal amounts 0.40-0.55 g/kg per meal and distributed evenly throughout the day (3-6 meals) including within 1-2 hours pre- and post-training.
Protein is crucial for muscle repair and overall health. Coaches should aim for a minimum of 1.6 g/kg of protein in the offseason, although targeting closer to 2.2 g/kg may ensure a more consistently optimized response across a greater proportion of athletes.
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Carbohydrate Intake
Remaining calories should come from carbohydrates with focus on consuming sufficient amounts (≥3-5 g/kg/day) to support energy demands from resistance exercise.
Carbohydrates are the primary fuel source for high-intensity activities. Coaches should consume sufficient amounts (≥3-5 g/kg/day) to support energy demands from resistance exercise.
Fat Intake
Fat should be consumed in moderate amounts (0.5-1.5 g/kg/day).
Fats are essential for hormone production and overall health. Coaches should consume fats in moderate amounts (0.5-1.5 g/kg/day).
Exercise Strategies for NBA Coaches
In addition to proper nutrition, regular exercise is essential for NBA coaches to manage stress, maintain physical fitness, and prevent health problems.
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Incorporating Physical Activity
Regular physical activity and exercise has been associated with a number of health benefits including reduced risk of developing CHD, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer.
Coaches can incorporate physical activity into their daily routines by finding time for workouts, even if it means waking up early or exercising late at night.
Types of Exercise
Regular physical activity and exercise has also been increasingly recognised for its therapeutic potential in many clinical contexts such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and CVD.
A balanced exercise program should include cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility exercises.
The Benefits of Fasted Exercise
Iwayama et al. demonstrated recently in lean healthy men that 1 h moderate-intensity exercise results in increased 24 h fat oxidation measured using whole-room indirect calorimetry when exercise was performed before (i.e. in the overnight-fasted state) breakfast, but not after lunch or dinner, even when participants remained in overall energy balance.
Undertaking aerobic exercise in the overnight-fasted v. fed-state in the context of optimising the health or therapeutic benefits of regular physical activity.
The Role of Electrolytes
Electrolytes facilitate hundreds of functions in the body, including the conduction of nerve impulses, hormonal regulation, nutrient absorption and fluid balance.
Coaches should ensure they are adequately hydrated and consuming enough electrolytes, especially during periods of intense stress or physical activity.
Mental Health and Stress Management
The intense pressure and long hours associated with coaching can take a toll on mental health. Coaches should prioritize stress management techniques such as mindfulness, meditation, or spending time with loved ones.
Seeking Support
The NBCA is absolutely vigilant about the importance of proactively nurturing good health for all of our coaches, both head coaches and assistants,” NBPA president and Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s important your health comes first. Your preparation for a season is meticulous and purposeful and once you get into it, you must have a great staff that can take a lot of pressure off the day to day demands and you have to take care of yourself.”
Coaches should not hesitate to seek support from mental health professionals or trusted colleagues when needed.