Did the circadian rhythm play a role in UCONN loss to Arizona?

[carpe diem]

The circadian rhythm regulates sleep-wake cycles and repeats every 24 hours. It is endogenous but is adjusted to the local environment by external cues such as light, temperature, and something called redox cycles which is a type of chemical reactionin which the oxidation states of atoms are changed (see wikipedia) . This is relevant to the UCONN - Arizona semifinal game in several ways. First, being a West Coast time zone location, a 9:30pm start (Eastern time) is the equivalent of 6:30 pm for Arizona compared to 9:30 for UCONN as an East Coast time zone 3hours ahead of the West Coast time zone. Second, because of the isolation of the teams in the "bubble" there were fewer environmental cues to allow for adjustment to the time change for UCONN. Several coaches have described the relative lack of opportunity to be outside except while transitioning from dorm to gym and back. I am not a sleep expert, but it is a safe assumption that UCONN was less adjusted to a late game start (9:30 pm) than Arizona, and thus more susceptible to fatigue and lack of focus and mental sharpness. Relatively speaking, it was clear which team looked more energetic and focused. This is perhaps a factor to take into account when the ESPN's of the world schedule games this late in the day. As teenagers and young adults are in even greater need of proper sleep than adults, a team with 7 freshmen is going to be even more impacted by disrupted sleep cycles. Food for thought.

 

[Vowelguy]

Yeah if there's one thing we know: college kids hate being up past 9 pm.

 

[Centerstream]

Yup that explains it.

 

[eebmg]

Damn it Geno, you are supposed to be on top of these things.

 

[willtalk]

That only applies if the teams playing have been on a different time zone shedule. All the teams had been on that time zone for some time so that should not have had much of an effect except for perhaps the firs and secound round games.

 

[Centerstream]

Good thing that never happened in previous Tournaments...where an East Coast team had to go to the West Coast for their games.

 

[carpe diem]

That only applies if the teams playing have been on a different time zone shedule. All the teams had been on that time zone for some time so that should not have had much of an effect except for perhaps the firs and secound round games.

Correct under ordinary conditions, but living in a bubble for two weeks diminishes the "cues" the body needs to make adjustments to the sleep cycle. In response suggesting teenagers love being up past 9 pm. that is no doubt true but that does not mean they are as functional at that times as they are earlier in the day. In fact, they are not.

 

[Gus Mahler]

The circadian rhythm regulates sleep-wake cycles and repeats every 24 hours. It is endogenous but is adjusted to the local environment by external cues such as light, temperature, and something called redox cycles which is a type of chemical reactionin which the oxidation states of atoms are changed (see wikipedia) . This is relevant to the UCONN - Arizona semifinal game in several ways. First, being a West Coast time zone location, a 9:30pm start (Eastern time) is the equivalent of 6:30 pm for Arizona compared to 9:30 for UCONN as an East Coast time zone 3hours ahead of the West Coast time zone. Second, because of the isolation of the teams in the "bubble" there were fewer environmental cues to allow for adjustment to the time change for UCONN. Several coaches have described the relative lack of opportunity to be outside except while transitioning from dorm to gym and back. I am not a sleep expert, but it is a safe assumption that UCONN was less adjusted to a late game start (9:30 pm) than Arizona, and thus more susceptible to fatigue and lack of focus and mental sharpness. Relatively speaking, it was clear which team looked more energetic and focused. This is perhaps a factor to take into account when the ESPN's of the world schedule games this late in the day. As teenagers and young adults are in even greater need of proper sleep than adults, a team with 7 freshmen is going to be even more impacted by disrupted sleep cycles. Food for thought.

Interesting post. I'll be a contrarian to the contrarians and agree it is food for thought.

 

[Vowelguy]

As excuses go, this ranks up there with using a different basketball.

 

[LoboDays]

I think it was the cantaloupe rhythm that did them in. My sources tell me that they ate melon just hours before the game. Arizona ate raw meat. A clear advantage.

 

[Blacketh’D]

I'm feeling pretty good that this is sarcasm, but damn does it feel that way sometimes.

 

[carpe diem]

While all is in good fun, the replies do suggest at how difficult it can be to have a serious, as in science based, discussion

 

[ClifSpliffy]

While all is in good fun, the replies do suggest at how difficult it can be to have a serious, as in science based, discussion

the problem here bub, where so few actually play the game, is the complete lack of awareness for mundane and sundry realities that categorically can dramatically affect the outcome. things like temp, humidity, dryness, time of game, o2 content of the air, and such, go wholly unnoticed by an audience knowing only that the ball is round, the floor is usually light colored hardwood, and the baskets look exactly the same, as they see it on the tv screen from their couch, with a bowl of chips beside them.
'i don't see nuthin different than usual...'
(this past clock change was the first time in my entire life that i noticed and viscerally felt my surrounding population acting out of 'rhythm,' for lack of a better word. in retrospect, it made sense as everyone's clock changed with the new 'covid' pace of life -duh,- and then the regular spring ahead clock change piling on. weird. noticeable, obvious, mebbe even predictable, but still, weird.)

 

[Vowelguy]

While all is in good fun, the replies do suggest at how difficult it can be to have a serious, as in science based, discussion

let’s see oh there are only thousands upon thousands of games held late at night.
and based on one data point (UConn lost) there must be an issue. Come back with a few more data points and then maybe we can have a “science” discussion.

 

[topogigio]

The game time adversely affected my rhythms.

 

[carpe diem]

In response to Vowelguy, there is in fact a very large body of knowledge regarding sleep in all its manifestations. Some of this is relevant to this discussion. The word discussion refers to a group (indefinite size but more than 1) talking about an issue of mutual interest in order to share ideas, clarifications, and experience. My initial comment is meant to initiate a discussion, not provide conclusions. For those wanting to learn and share, the opportunity is still present. Those who prefer sarcasm will soon move on to their next target.

 

[CL82]

You are probably right. I was blaming syncopated rhythm, but that really didn’t make any sense at all.

 

[carpe diem]

Only if they were making music, although they were not as "tuned in" as usual.

 

[FridaFriend]

The wildcat is a nocturnal creature, so this theory does explain the UCONN loss.