Sprint ability and reaction time following a 2-hour nap in soccer players

Lastella, AM ORCiD: 0000-0003-1793-3811Athletes may use daytime napping to supplement their night time sleep; however the time to optimal performance after waking from a nap is not known. The aim of this study was to examine sprint ability and reaction time at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after waking from a daytime nap

Daytime naps can be used to supplement night-time sleep in athletes

This study examined the efficacy of daytime napping to supplement night-time sleep in athletes. Twelve well-trained male soccer players completed three conditions in a randomised, counterbalanced order: 9 h in bed overnight with no daytime nap (9 h + 0 h); 8 h in bed overnight with a 1-h daytime nap (8 h + 1 h); and 7 h in bed overnight with a 2-h daytime nap (7 h + 2 h). Sleep was assessed using polysomnography. The total amount of sleep obtained in the three conditions was similar, i.e. 8.1 h (9 h + 0 h), 8.2 h (8 h + 1 h), and 8.0 h (7 h + 2 h). Daytime napping may be an effective strategy to supplement athletes’ night-time sleep. © 2018, © 2018 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Sprint ability and reaction time following a 2-hour nap in soccer players

Athletes may use daytime napping to supplement their night time sleep; however the time to optimal performance after waking from a nap is not known. The aim of this study was to examine sprint ability and reaction time at 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes after waking from a daytime nap