Exploring a Critical Threshold in Sleep Loss on Subsequent Evening Performance, Following Two Nights Partial Sleep...

We investigated sleep-restriction (SR, two nights) on evening (5:00 p.m.) weightlifting and effects following a 1-h nap. Thirty strength-trained males were allocated into two groups, either 4-h [SR₄] or 3-h sleep [SR₃], retiring at either 02:30 or 03:30 p.m. and waking at 06:30 p.m. for two nights), with 5:00 p.m. grip-strength and bench-press; and whether performance improves at 5:00 p.m. after a 1:00 p.m. nap (0 or 60-min).

Both groups undertook a one-repetition-max (1RM) for bench press and were randomly allocated either condition (i) no (N₀) then (ii) a 60-min nap (N₆₀). Intra-aural temperature/profile-of-mood-scores/alertness/tiredness/sleepiness values were measured at 08:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. following the two nights of SR. At 5:00 p.m., a warm-up, right-hand grip strength, followed by lifts (40, 60, and 80% of 1RM) for bench press with recovery occurred. A linear encoder, attached to the bar, measured peak-power (PP), peak-velocity (PV), displacement (D) and time-to-peak velocity (tPV). Grip strength was not affected by SR or nap (p > 0.005). PP and PV were lower and tPV longer in the SR₄ versus SR₃ group, reflecting a higher 1RM. Lower tiredness/fatigue/confusion/sleepiness and an increase in alertness in the SR₄ group than SR_3, reflecting effects of greater sleep loss on tiredness/alertness/sleepiness/mood. Time-of-day effects were shown in temperature/subjective/mood-responses (p < 0.05), with positive modifications in sleepiness/alertness/tiredness after the 1-h nap at 1:00 p.m. in both the SR₃ an SR₄ groups.

Improvements in PV after the 1-h nap were only found in the SR₃ condition (p = 0.029). In summary, a dose-response of sleep loss on subjective values and mood was found (SR₃ worse than SR₄). But not grip-strength or bench-press -strength being resistant to sleep loss and a stronger cohort in the SR₃ than the SR₄ group.

Implementing a nap (N₆₀) improved alertness/vigor/happiness and some strength measures (↑PV) for bench press compared to N₀, but this was only effective for the SR₃ condition.