0991 The Effect Of Extending Total Sleep Time And Weighted Blankets On Teenage Swimmers Performance

Abstract

Introduction: Effectiveness of sleep extension on performance and cognition in adult athletes has been studied extensively. Effectiveness of weighted blankets on sleep extension in children has been studied with mixed results. The effect of sleep quantity on teen competitive swimmers has not been evaluated extensively. This study investigated the effects of sleep extension and weighted blankets on performance, as well as daytime sleepiness in competitive teen swimmers. The principal investigator is a high school student and a teen-swimmer herself. Methods: Study Design: Using an open label prospective approach, the pilot study will investigate swimmer's event time changes, actigraphy findings and daytime sleepiness with sleep extension and weighted blankets. Setting/ Participants: 12 healthy swimmers on the MAKOS swim team will maintain their habitual sleep-wake schedule for a one-week; baseline period followed by a one-week sleep extension period, combined with weighted blankets use. Procedure/Protocol: The head-coach will assign event type to each participant of the study, 2 participants of the same type of event, will do the baseline timed race and initial evaluation, followed by one week of regular sleep (control). Another timed event will be done at the end of the 1st week and followed by a 2nd week of extended sleep (one hour/day) and weighted blanket. Final timed event race will be at the end of the 2nd week. Participants will fill initial, weekly questionnaires and wear a sleep tracker during the two weeks of the study. Detailed sleep and activities analysis will be obtained. Results: 12 swimmers were recruited, 8 females and 4 males. All participants have been consistently with the team for more than 2 years. Age range of participants is 11- 17 years. Members of the team practiced 5 days every week with each practice lasting for 2 hours. The first timed race is scheduled to be done the first week in January. Conclusion: This is the first research study to evaluate the effect of two important variables on sleep and performance in teenage swimmers.