Aerobic Exercise: A Potential Rescue From the Negative Ramifications of Poor Sleep

Aerobic Exercise: A Potential Rescue From the Negative Ramifications of Poor Sleep

The goal of this interventional study is to differentiate the effects of an acute partial sleep deprivation intervention on markers of cardiovascular health, cardio-autonomic function, physical and cognitive performance, as well as overall wellbeing in active vs sedentary individuals. The main aims of the project are:

• To differentiate the effects of partial sleep deprivation on central hemodynamics (i.e., central blood pressure and arterial stiffness) in active vs sedentary individuals.
• To differentiate the effects of partial sleep deprivation on physical (i.e., handgrip strength and reactive strength index) and cognitive performance (i.e., reaction time and impulse control) in active vs sedentary individuals.
• To differentiate the effects of partial sleep deprivation on overall wellbeing (i.e., cardio-autonomic function, inflammation levels, and psychological mood states) in active vs sedentary individuals.

Participants will be divided into two groups based on aerobic activity level - active or sedentary - and assessed for markers of cardiovascular health, cardio-autonomic function, physical and cognitive performance, as well as overall wellbeing before and after three days of normal sleep and three days of partially deprived sleep (i.e., 30% reduction in total time in bed).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Chronically active (≥150 minutes of moderate- and/or ≥75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week for the last 3 months) OR
• Sedentary (≤60 minutes of aerobic exercise per week for the last 3 months)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Chronic, uncontrolled disease (cardiovascular, metabolic)
• Poor sleep (regularly achieving <7 hours of sleep per night)
• Musculoskeletal injury in the last 6 months
• Obese (grade II or higher)
• Pregnant