AUTHOR=Kong Zhenxing , Wei Xinhua , Shen Meng , Cheng Yue , Feng Junpeng 

TITLE=Interval training has more negative effects on sleep in adolescent speed skaters: a randomized cross controlled trial

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2024.1367190

DOI=10.3389/fspor.2024.1367190

ISSN=2624-9367

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Objective</title><p>Sleep is an essential component of athletic performance and recovery. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different types of high-intensity exercise on sleep parameters in adolescent speed skaters.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Eighteen male adolescent speed skaters underwent aerobic capacity testing, Wingate testing, and interval training in a randomized crossover design to assess strength output, heart rate, and blood lactate levels during exercise. Sleep quality after each type of exercise was evaluated using the Firstbeat Bodyguard 3 monitor.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>The results showed that Wingate testing and interval training led to decreased sleep duration, increased duration of stress, decreased RMSSD, and increased LF/HF ratio (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01). Conversely, aerobic capacity testing did not significantly affect sleep (<italic>p</italic> &gt; 0.05). The impact of interval training on sleep parameters was more significant compared to aerobic capacity testing (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01) and Wingate testing (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.01).</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p>High-intensity anaerobic exercise has a profound impact on athletes’ sleep, primarily resulting in decreased sleep duration, increased stress duration, decreased RMSSD, and increased LF/HF ratio.</p></sec>