Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine the impact of napping (15-min and 30-min) on sleep inertia, peak muscle strength, and 3-km cycling time trial performance. METHODS: Six recreationally-trained college-aged participants (Age, 22 ± 1 y; VO2max, 43 ± 12 ml·kg-1·min-1) completed a familiarization- and 3 experimental trials in the afternoon. Following a night of modest sleep restriction (range: 4.6-5.8 h), participants underwent exercise testing without a nap and following 15-min (Nap15) and 30-min (Nap30) naps. Peak isokinetic leg extension force (120 deg·sec-1) and computer-simulated 3-km cycling time trial (TT) performance were assessed 30 min after napping. Sleep inertia was quantified using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale and the Tower of London cognitive task before and after each nap. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used to assess differences in peak strength and 3-km TT performance between conditions, while a 3 x 2 (nap condition by time) repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess sleep inertia. RESULTS: 3-km TT power output was similar across conditions (no-nap = 212 ± 84 W, Nap15 = 208 ± 95 W; Nap30 = 213 ± 95 W). Though peak strength following Nap30 was not statistically lower than no-nap (p = 0.12), peak strength was 8.0 ± 0.8% lower in Nap30 compared to Nap15 (p < 0.05). Sleep inertia was similar across conditions. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that napping prior to competition will not improve performance but rather may impair peak power-oriented activities. Data should be gathered to assess the impact of longer duration napping and the potential performance benefits of napping following more severe sleep restriction.
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