Effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive and physical performance in university students

Abstract

Sleep deprivation is common among university students, and has been associated with poor academic performance and physical dysfunction. However, current literature has a narrow focus in regard to domains tested, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a night of sleep deprivation on cognitive and physical performance in students. A randomized controlled crossover study was carried out with 64 participants [58% male (n = 37); 22 ± 4 years old (mean ± SD)]. Participants were randomized into two conditions: normal sleep or one night sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation was monitored using an online time-stamped questionnaire at 45 min intervals, completed in the participants' homes. The outcomes were cognitive: working memory (Simon game© derivative), executive function (Stroop test); and physical: reaction time (ruler drop testing), lung function (spirometry), rate of perceived exertion, heart rate, and blood pressure during submaximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Data were analysed using paired two-tailed T tests and MANOVA. Reaction time and systolic blood pressure post-exercise were significantly increased following sleep deprivation (mean ± SD change: reaction time: 0.15 ± 0.04 s, p = 0.003; systolic BP: 6 ± 17 mmHg, p = 0.012). No significant differences were found in other variables. Reaction time and vascular response to exercise were significantly affected by sleep deprivation in university students, whilst other cognitive and cardiopulmonary measures showed no significant changes. These findings indicate that acute sleep deprivation can have an impact on physical but not cognitive ability in young healthy university students. Further research is needed to identify mechanisms of change and the impact of longer term sleep deprivation in this population.

Keywords: Acute sleep deprivation; Cognitive; Reaction time; Student; Submaximal exercise.

Fig. 1

Timeline showing the measurements taken during the CPET. After calibration, a one-minute baseline was conducted followed by 8 min of exercise and 3 min of rest. Non-invasive blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken using a manual sphygmomanometer at three points of the test: pre-exercise, post-exercise, and post-rest period. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) (53) was recorded at the end of each minute

Fig. 2

Flow chart showing participant numbers during the study. Percentages indicate the percentage of individuals who remained from the previous stage

Fig. 3

Line graph comparing heart rate during the baseline, exercise, and recovery periods of cardiopulmonary exercise testing between the control and deprived groups (n = 54). Error bars indicate two standard deviations. MANOVA shows no significant difference in heart rate (p = 0.723). Average values for blood pressure as measured at rest, post-exercise, and post-recovery are also displayed. Post-exercise systolic BP was found to be significantly different (p = 0.012)