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Updated: Mar 24, 2026
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Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
Published on: October 2, 2019
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Age-related patterns in distal skin temperature during naps
Severine Soltani1,2, Wendy Hartogensis3, Patrick Kasl2
1Bioinformatics and Systems Biology Graduate Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.
Sleep
|March 17, 2026
Summary
Napping patterns and body temperature rhythms change with age. Older adults nap more frequently, and skin temperature during naps varies by age and day of the week, suggesting links to sleep pressure.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Science
- Chronobiology
- Physiology
Background:
- Napping is a widespread behavior, yet its physiological underpinnings are less understood compared to nighttime sleep.
- Understanding napping physiology is crucial for a comprehensive view of human sleep patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related variations in napping frequency, timing, and associated distal skin temperature changes.
- To explore the relationship between napping behavior and physiological rhythms across different age demographics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized longitudinal wearable device data from 20,027 participants in the TemPredict Study.
- Assessed napping frequency, timing, and distal skin temperature fluctuations around nap periods.
Main Results:
- Older adults exhibited more frequent and consistent napping throughout the week.
- Napping and distal skin temperature rhythms were closely synchronized, even during daytime.
- Distal skin temperature during naps was higher on weekends than weekdays and lower in older adults compared to younger individuals.
Conclusions:
- Significant age-related differences exist in napping behaviors and associated distal skin temperature patterns.
- Further research is warranted to explore the connection between these temperature changes, sleep pressure, and age-related disease.
- Findings highlight the importance of considering age in napping research and its physiological implications.
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