Effects of a 30 min nap opportunity on cognitive and short-duration high-intensity performances and mood states after a partial sleep deprivation night.

This study evaluated the effects of partial-sleep-deprivation (SDN) and a 30 min nap opportunity on physical and cognitive performances and mood states. Fourteen physically active students (BMI = 232.8 ± 0.4 kg/m2) performed the reaction time, the number cancellation (i.e., assessing vigilance) and the 5-m shuttle run tests and responded to the Profile of Mood States (POMS-f) questionnaire at 18h00 after a normal-sleep (NSN) and a SDN) and after two nap conditions (Nap and no-Nap) realized between 13h00 and 13h30. Vigilance and the reaction time were better after Nap compared to no-Nap opportunity following NSN and SDN and during NSN compared to SDN only during no-Nap. Total and peak distance during the 5-m shuttle run test were higher and the fatigue index was lower during Nap compared to no-Nap condition after NSN and SDN and during NSN compared to SDN during Nap and no-Nnap. Anxiety, fatigue, confusion, and depression were lower and vigour was higher during Nap compared to no-Nap after NSN and SDN and during NSN compared to SDN during Nap and no-Nap. In conclusion, a 30-min of nap opportunity helps to overcome the negative effect of SDN on mood states as well as physical and cognitive performances.