Effects of Acute Sleep Restriction on Performance with Napping Interventions and Sleep Measurement Considerations

Gallagher, C ORCID: 0000-0002-0712-4482 (2025) Effects of Acute Sleep Restriction on Performance with Napping Interventions and Sleep Measurement Considerations. Doctoral thesis, Liverpool John Moores.

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Abstract

Acute sleep restriction is associated with a host of negative effects on an individual’s health and wellbeing. However, the extent in which these outcomes influence exercise performance, cognitive function and perceptual responses are still not fully understood. This thesis explores acute sleep restriction and evaluates the effectiveness of nap interventions in mitigating the consequences of sleep loss on performance. Chapter 1 introduces sleep restriction and outlines different interventions, such as daytime napping, that have been proposed to alleviate the impact of sleep loss on performance. Chapter 2, presents a mixed methods narrative review examining 33 studies that were extracted from the literature on acute sleep restriction and the effects on exercise types, cognitive domains and perceptual responses. The review highlights methodological inconsistencies such as sleep measurement, that limit comparability of findings between studies. Chapter 3 outlines the standardised testing protocols used throughout the experimental chapters, with further information on the equipment, protocols and techniques used were outlined. Chapter 4 explores the validity of consumer sleep devices and research grade actigraphy compared to polysomnography in the laboratory versus the home setting. The findings suggest that consumer devices have significant discrepancies when compared to polysomnography and are not yet suitable for research or clinical use. Collectively, Chapters 5, 6 and 7 evaluated the effectiveness of naps, with consideration for timing and duration of the nap session. Despite employing rigorous research designs such as dietary control and objective sleep assessment with polysomnography, post lunch naps did not improve afternoon submaximal or maximal performance when compared to a no nap condition. However, nap interventions were effective in improving cognitive function and perceptual responses, likely due to reducing homeostatic pressure, excessive fatigue and restoring alertness. Chapter 8 synthesises the findings from the 4 experimental chapters and collectively concludes that the effectiveness of nap interventions following sleep restriction is likely task dependent. While longer nap durations allow for more restorative benefits however the translation to performance enhancement depends on the performance type. Tasks requiring greater cognitive demand and attentional focus over longer bouts appear to gain greater benefits from naps following sleep restriction. The synthesis further highlights the importance of rigorous research designs to account for individual variability in sleep need and performance outcomes.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Sleep; Chronobiology; Performance
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine
Divisions:	Sport and Exercise Sciences
Date of acceptance:	1 September 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	7 October 2025
Date Deposited:	07 Oct 2025 08:49
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2025 08:49
DOI or ID number:	10.24377/LJMU.t.00027189
Supervisors:	Edwards, B, Walsh, N and Pullinger, S
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/27189

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