Sleep Patterns of Young Men and Women Enrolled at the United States Military Academy: Results from Year 1 of a 4-Year Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Sleep patterns of young adults are different from those of other age groups.. This study examined sleep patterns of cadets during their first year at the United States Military Academy. This paper presents initial results of a 4-year longitudinal investigation into sleep patterns of college-age men and women. Data were collected at the United States Military Academy, a 4-year undergraduate institution that develops men and women in 4 areas: intellectual, physical, military, and moral-ethical. Survey data were obtained from all members of the Class of 2007 (N approximately 1300), who ranged in age from 17 to 22 years. A stratified sample (n = 80) was selected to wear wrist-activity monitors. An additional 40 members of the junior and senior classes participated in the summer portion of the study. Sleep patterns prior to entering the United States Military Academy were compared with patterns during cadet basic training and fall and spring semesters. Actigraphy data were recorded on a sample of the class (n = 80) for 50 days during cadet basic training and 30 days during fall and spring semesters. During cadet basic training, incoming cadets received 5 hours 40 minutes of sleep per night. During fall 2003 semester, these same cadets received 4 hours 50 minutes of sleep on school nights and 6 hours 32 minutes on weekends. Sleep received during spring 2004 semester was similar, with 5 hours 06 minutes on school nights and 6 hours 29 minutes on weekends. This first year of baseline data collection describes cadet sleep patterns and sets the stage to assess the effectiveness of follow-on interventions.