University News Last updated 11 March
How a pillowcase from home can make the difference between winning and losing for Great Britain's top basketball players
A good night’s sleep for an elite athlete is just as important as their pre-match meal, but can a pillowcase from home really make a big impact on performance?
Peter Thain, Associate Professor of Sports Therapy at Birmingham City University (BCU) and Head of Sport Science and Medicine for Great Britain Women’s Basketball Team, believes it can.
“We encourage players to bring a pillowcase they’ve been using at home for a few days whenever we travel abroad,” he explained.
“It will carry their pheromones, which can help them fall asleep faster in unfamiliar environments, like hotels when they are on international duty with their country.”
With sleep a key factor in maximising a player’s recovery, Peter regularly discusses the value of ‘sleep hygiene’ strategies with the GB squad.
These include the use of eye masks, earplugs, and white noise machines. He also advises players to reduce their use of mobile phones to help them sleep soundly.
“Players often share rooms, which can present challenges – particularly if a roommate snores,” he said. “If you or I have a broken night’s sleep, we feel sluggish the next day.
“For international athletes needing to perform at the highest level daily, sleep is vital.”
The evolving role of medical teams in elite sport extends far beyond treating injuries.
“Our role is performance-orientated,” Peter said. “We aim to optimise recovery to maximise performance and player availability, which impacts what happens on the court.”
GB’s women recently secured qualification for EuroBasket later this year, sealing their spot with a dominant win in Denmark.
“It’s fantastic to be part of their success,” said Peter, who has been travelling with the team since 2018. “It’s a young squad with great talent, and the future looks very bright.”
Peter was also a key member of the backroom staff that helped England’s 3x3 men and women win gold and silver respectively at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
He now uses those experiences with GB and England to benefit students at BCU.
“Working closely with elite athletes allows me to share real-world case studies with my students,” said Peter, who is based at the prestigious Alexander Stadium, BCU’s new home for Sport and Exercise courses.
“I present scenarios I’ve faced and challenge students to problem-solve, making them aware of the time pressures of elite sport. It’s something you won’t find in a textbook.
“I’m also fortunate that players allow me to use anonymised scans and X-rays so students can see genuine examples, best preparing them to be therapists of tomorrow.”
Peter also delivers sessions on the challenges faced by sports therapists when travelling with teams abroad, such as navigating customs with medical equipment or sourcing medication that conforms to World Anti-Doping Agency rules and regulations.
“There is so much more to being a sports therapist now,” he said. “I’m fortunate to be in the position of being able to share my work with my students.”
The work Peter talks about exemplifies BCU’s new 2030 Strategy, which places a premium on practice-led courses with high-quality teaching in order to develop the next generation of talent.
For more information about BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy, click here.
For more information about BCU’s new home for Sport and Exercise courses at Alexander Stadium, click here.
To follow GB Women’s progress at EuroBasket, visit the official FIBA website.