Effect of sleep deprivation on shuttle run score in middle-aged amateur athletes. Influence of initial score.

Abstract

AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of sleep deprivation on shuttle run score (corresponding to an estimated VO2 peak) in middle-aged amateur athletes. METHODS: Twenty-two athletes, training 9.2 hours a week (+/-4), performed a Leger and Gadoury shuttle test daily in a 4-day series that included a pre-test in day 0, 28 hours without sleep before test 1 (and 10 another hours after the test and before bedtime for a sleep deprivation of 38 hours), and then 10 hours of sleep before each of days 2 and 3. RESULTS: Shuttle run score showed no significant difference over the 4 days; however, the change in shuttle run score on day 2 was significantly correlated with the initial score. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that effect of sleep deprivation on shuttle run score is dependent on initial score and may encourage high level aerobic athletes to avoid sleep deprivation 2 days before a competition.