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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 7, 2026

Measuring Neural Mechanisms Underlying Sleep-Dependent Memory Consolidation During Naps in Early Childhood
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Napping, Caffeine, and Their Combination Enhanced Explosivity and Repeated-Sprint Performance: A Randomized

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  • 1Physical Activity, Sport and Health, National Observatory of Sports, Tunis, Tunisia.

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
|May 5, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

An early afternoon nap and caffeine independently improved physical performance, with their combination significantly boosting explosive power. While effective for certain athletic tasks, broader application is limited by potential sleep disruption.

Keywords:
daytime sleepexplosive powermental readinesspsychostimulantrepeated agility

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Area of Science:

  • Sports Science
  • Human Performance
  • Sleep Research

Background:

  • Afternoon fatigue and reduced cognitive/physical performance are common.
  • Napping and caffeine are known countermeasures, but their combined effects on evening performance require further investigation.
  • Understanding these effects is crucial for athletes competing in evening events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the independent and combined effects of an early afternoon nap and moderate-dose caffeine on afternoon alertness and evening physical performance.
  • To assess impacts on reaction time, sleepiness, agility, and explosive power.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, counterbalanced, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 13 physical education students.
  • Four conditions were tested: placebo, nap (90-min), caffeine (5 mg/kg), and nap plus caffeine.
  • Assessments included reaction time, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, jumping performance (squat jump, countermovement jump), and repeated modified agility test.

Main Results:

  • Neither caffeine, napping, nor their combination significantly affected subjective sleepiness or reaction times.
  • All interventions improved squat jump performance compared to placebo, with the nap plus caffeine combination showing the greatest enhancement.
  • The nap plus caffeine combination significantly improved explosive power (take-off velocity, relative power) compared to nap or caffeine alone.

Conclusions:

  • Napping and caffeine independently enhance repeated agility and explosive power.
  • The combination of napping and caffeine further boosts explosive power, beneficial for evening team and racket sports competitions.
  • Limited effects on non-explosive tasks and potential sleep disruption suggest constraints on broader application.