Effects of Sleep Duration on Electroencephalographic and Autonomic Nervous System Responses to High-Intensity...

Objective: This study examined whether changes in electroencephalography (EEG)-derived indices, photoplethysmography (PPG)-derived autonomic nervous system indices, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) post-high-intensity exercise differ depending on sleep duration. Methods: Forty physically healthy female university students in their twenties were randomly assigned to the sleep restriction (SR) or normal sleep (NS) group. EEG-derived indices-the theta-to-beta ratio (TBR) and spectral edge frequency at 90% (SEF-90)-and PPG-derived autonomic nervous system indices (HRV index, sympathetic activity, and parasympathetic activity) were measured for one minute at rest before exercise and for one minute immediately after exercise. Heart rate was assessed at rest, immediately after exercise, and at 5, 10, and 15 min post-exercise. The group × time interaction effects were assessed using two-way mixed-design analysis of variance, followed by post hoc analyses. Results: TBR increased significantly post-exercise in the SR group (p = 0.002) with no significant change in the NS group. SEF-90 decreased significantly in the SR group (p < 0.001) with no significant change in the NS group. The HRV index decreased significantly in the SR group (p = 0.004) with no significant change in the NS group. Sympathetic activity increased and parasympathetic activity decreased significantly in the SR group (both p < 0.001). Heart rate was significantly higher in the SR group at rest (p < 0.001), immediately after exercise (p = 0.020), and 5 min post-exercise (p = 0.009). RPE was significantly higher in the SR group (p = 0.003). Conclusions: In healthy young adult women, the central and autonomic nervous systems respond differently to high-intensity exercise depending on sleep duration.