The effect of a brief nap on exercise performance

Abstract

It is widely reported that a brief nap is effective in preventing afternoon sleepiness. However, its effects on exercise performance have remained unknown. The present study examined the effects of a short nap on exercise performance in the mid-afternoon. University students who belonged to an athletic club (n = 10) participated in the study. They took a nap (Nap condition) or read a newspaper (No-nap condition) for 15 minutes at 14 : 00 hours. In the Nap condition, the participants were awakened 3 minutes after the appearance of Stage 2 sleep. At 15 : 00 hours, the participants exercised using a cycle ergometer until exhaustion. Results indicated that the duration of exercise was 27 seconds longer in the Nap condition than in the Nonap condition (p