The Effect Of Sleeping In A Normobaric Hypoxic Tent For One Week Upon Sleep Quality

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine the chronic effects (8 nights) of sleeping in a normobaric hypoxic tent (10 hours.night-1) in Great Britain International athletes from a range of sports (Rowing, Running, Kayaking; n = 12; age: 26.2 ± 3.7 years; stature: 184.4 ± 7.3 cm; body mass: 74.4 ± 6.9 kg). METHODS: the Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ) combined with Wristwatch Actigraphy (WA) was used to examine subjective and objective markers of sleep quality and compare these to baseline sleep. RESULTS: Data were considered on a case by case basis revealing a heterogeneous response, with some individuals experiencing negative effects. As a group, there were no significant differences in sleep quality between baseline and night 1 sleep for any measurement. Sleep latency was significantly shorter on night 8 in the tent compared to night 1 (P<0.05). Other WA data revealed that behavioural aspects of sleep such as sleep fragmentation continued to be negatively affected in some individuals despite chronic exposure to NH. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep quality in a hypoxic tent, is altered in some individuals, and is not universally improved following 8 nights. This may have significant consequences for recovery from training in some individuals.