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SYC 2024 Breakout: Kara Duraccio on Sleep in Youth Sports

Strong Youth Conference 2024: Kara Duraccio & Sleep in Youth Sports

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Join Dr. Kara Duraccio, Pediatric Sleep Psychologist and researcher, as she dives into the critical role of sleep in youth wellness and sports performance at the 2024 Strong Youth Conference. Learn why sleep is a "legal performance-enhancing drug" and how it impacts cognitive, emotional, and physical health. Dr. Duraccio provides practical strategies to combat sleep deprivation and optimize sleep for athletes and youth alike.

Topics Covered:

  • Sleep requirements for children and teens
  • The consequences of sleep deprivation on health and performance
  • Sleep hygiene tips for better rest
  • The connection between sleep and sports performance
  • Actionable advice for parents, coaches, and athletes

Dr. Kara Duraccio is a licensed clinical psychologist with an emphasis in sleep psychology. She currently serves as an assistant professor in the psychology department at Brigham Young University. She previously completed her clinical residency and research fellowship at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, specializing in behavioral sleep medicine. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Brigham Young University. Dr. Duraccio is an active researcher with dozens of peer-reviewed articles that center around sleep in youth. Specifically, she has focused her research efforts on uncovering risk factors for insufficient sleep in youth, understanding the mental, behavioral, and physical health consequences of obtaining insufficient sleep, developing innovative methods for measuring and manipulating diet, physical activity, and sleep outcomes, and creating effective pediatric obesity interventions.

0:00 - Introduction to Sleep and Youth Wellness
1:10 - How Much Sleep Do Youth Really Need?
3:53 - The Sleep Deprivation Epidemic in Teens
5:03 - The "Perfect Storm" Model of Teen Sleep Challenges
9:54 - What is Sleep Hygiene? Top Recommendations
12:19 - Consequences of Sleep Deprivation
14:48 - Physical Impacts of Poor Sleep on Athletes
15:45 - Sleep as a "Legal Performance-Enhancing Drug"
17:57 - The Role of Sleep in Sports Performance Metrics
19:54 - Practical Tips for Improving Teen Sleep
25:54 - Addressing Common Sleep Challenges for Teens
28:10 - Are Naps Helpful for Athletes? Timing and Duration
33:04 - Advocating for Later School Start Times

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SYP Interview: Kara Duraccio & The Effects of Sleep

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In this interview we discuss various aspects of sleep and its effects on youth with Dr. Kara Duraccio. We learned a lot being part of this interview, and we know you will learn lots by watching it!

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