Effects of Napping on Cognitive and Physical Performance in Sleep-Deprived Elite Kung-Fu Athletes

Total sleep deprivation (TSD) negatively affects athletic performance by impairing mood, anaerobic performance, and decision-making in martial arts athletes. This study examined whether a 45 min nap can alleviate deficits in mood, anaerobic performance, and decision-making caused by TSD in elite Kung-Fu athletes.

Twenty-four elite male Kung-Fu athletes (age: 20.67 ± 1.76 years) participated in four randomised conditions: normal sleep, without sleep deprivation + nap, total sleep deprivation (36 h awake), and TSD + nap. Mood states were assessed in terms of the POMS-f, perceptual responses, decision-making via video-based tasks, barrage test, anaerobic performance through vertical and horizontal jumps, and isometric strength.

Sleep deprivation significantly affected mood, with vigour dropping by 53.8% (p < 0.001), impaired physical performance, with vertical jump declining from 36.80 ± 6.47 cm to 33.23 ± 6.03 cm (p < 0.001), and reduced cognitive function, with decision accuracy declining from 24.00 ± 2.16% to 18.44 ± 2.24% (p < 0.001) and reaction time increasing from 0.58 ± 0.08 s to 0.93 ± 0.13 s (p < 0.001). Strategic napping significantly enhanced cognitive recovery, with decision accuracy increasing by 14.1% (p < 0.001) and reaction time improving by 16.1% (p < 0.001). Physical performance showed modest gains, with vertical jump height increasing by 2.4% (p < 0.05).

Strategic 45 min naps offer superior cognitive recovery compared to physical recovery in sleep-deprived elite Kung-Fu athletes, suggesting that coaches should incorporate strategic napping to enhance decision-making abilities during competitions involving sleep deprivation.