Effectiveness of sleep extension on athletic performance and nutrition of female track athletes

Adequate sleep is an essential component to rest and recovery for athletes. Detrimental effects of inadequate sleep (sleep deprivation), on athletes\u27 performance have been well documented. In contrast, increasing sleep (sleep extension), has not been thoroughly investigated in this population. Furthermore, the effect of sleep on an athlete\u27s nutrition behaviors and choices has yet to be determined.;PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of one additional hour of sleep on performance and nutrition behaviors on collegiate, female, track and field athletes.;METHODS: Twenty-one females (age 20.2 +/- 1.8 yrs) maintained normal sleep habits for one week. Baseline data were collected and followed by a one week sleep extension period. Physical performance was measured using a standard anaerobic test (Wingate Anaerobic Test). The Automated Self Administered (ASA) 24-hour food-recall questionnaire was used to test nutrient intake. Reaction time and mood, used in association with sleep efficiency, were measured using the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT) and Profile of Mood States (POMS), respectively. Significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.;RESULTS: Subjects (n = 21) significantly increased total sleep from baseline (429.3 +/- 38 minutes, 451.4 +/- 44.8 minutes respectively; p = 0.03). Subjects showed a trend towards improvements in peak power (692.9 +/- 213.2 watts versus 713.5 +/- 214.6 watts) and slight decrements in fatigue index from baseline (37.3 +/- 10.6% versus 38.8 +/- 8.42%), however these were not significant (p = 0.07, p = 0.28 respectively). Mean PVT scores remained unchanged (p = 0.98) and POMS scores significantly decreased (p = 0.01) following more sleep. Although not significant, the athletes showed increased caloric intake (p = 0.87) with increased percentage of total fat (p = 0.24) after sleep extension.;CONCLUSION: No significant differences were seen in physical performance, however significant improvements in psychological performance (total mood disturbance score) was seen after sleep extension in college female track athletes. Increased caloric intake with an increase in dietary fat consumption was seen with more sleep, however not significant.;LIMITATIONS: Short sleep extension dosage may have limited the ability to detect a significant change in nutritional behaviors and physical performance in athletes