Physiological response and physical performance after 40 min and 90 min daytime nap opportunities
Omar Boukhris, Khaled Trabelsi, David W. Hill, Hsen Hsouna, Raouf Abdessalem, Achraf Ammar, Omar Hammouda, Cain C. T. Clark, Piotr Żmijewski, Peter Düking, Tarak Driss, Hamdi Chtourou
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the impact of 40-min and 90-min naps on performance in the 5-m shuttle run test (5mSRT) and on various physiological and perceptual measures. Sixteen male athletes (20 ± 3 years, 173 ± 7 cm, 67 ± 7 kg) performed the 5mSRT after a 40-min nap (N40), after a 90-min nap (N90), and in a no-nap, control condition (N0). The 5mSRT involves six repetitions of 30 s of all-out exercise. Total distance (in the six repetitions) and highest distance (in a single repetition) in the 5mSRT were greater after naps than in N0 (p < 0.001), and the total distance, which reflects the anaerobic capacity, was greater in N90 than in N40 (p < 0.05). Physiological and perceptual responses were favourable in both nap conditions (p < 0.01), more so in N90 than in N40 (p < 0.05). Together, the results support the contention that physiological/perceptual responses after napping contribute to improved exercise performance and that longer naps are more effective.