Effects of Sleep on Maximal Exercise

Abstract

**Please note that the full text is embargoed** ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Sleep is a function of the body that is essential for proper recovery physically and mentally. Necessary for tissue repair and growth, muscle relaxation and healthy balance of hormones. The average time of sleep for the body to function properly is approximately seven to eight hours a night. Sleep deficiency is common among adults and it can cause chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and kidney disease. Research shows that sleep has no effect on maximal exercise. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is the maximum capacity of the body to transport and utilize oxygen during incremental exercise. It is expressed either as an absolute rate in liters of oxygen per minute (L/min) or as a relative rate in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute (ml/kg/min). PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of sleep on maximal exercise. METHODS: Five men (21.5 ± 1.73 yrs) from the University of Texas at Arlington volunteered to participate in this study and four were able to complete it. Each subject performed two graded exercise tests on the treadmill with increasing speed and elevation until exhaustion. Prior to one test the subjects had a full night’s rest (FR) and for the other test they had four hours of sleep (4Hrs). During each test heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded along with the maximal values measured by the metabolic cart, absolute maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and time (min.). The alpha level for significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The maximal values: VO2max (FR: 3.3 ± 0.4 L/min; 4Hrs: 3.1 ± 0.4 L/min), HR (FR: 189.5 ± 7.1 bpm; 4Hrs: 187.8 ± 3.8 bpm), RPE (FR: 17.8 ± 1; 4Hrs: 17.8 ± 1.0), min.: (FR: 11.5 ± 1.1 min; 4Hrs: 11.4 ± 1.1 min) were not significantly different (p > 0.05 when comparing the amount of sleep obtained prior to the maximal exercise test. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate sleep deprivation does not influence maximal exercise and is in agreement with previous studies where similar results have been found.