Sleep Deprivation and Exercise

Sleep deprivation can be defined as total or partial suppress of sleep and is associated with alterations in endocrine, metabolic, physical, cognitive functions and modifications of the sleep patterns that compromise health and quality of life. Physical exercise is associated with improvement of cardiovascular, respiratory, muscular, endocrine and nervous system, and a better sleep quality. However, the association of these two conditions is unclear, partly due to the difficulty to obtain volunteers to participate in this type of protocol with no financial compensation. The majority of the studies which investigate the association between physical exercises and sleep deprivation focus on aerobic performance and verify little or no effect of this parameter. Concerning anaerobic power and strength, significant alterations have not been found; however, for prolonged events there may be an interaction between these two factors, which suggests a protection mechanism. Nevertheless, it is important to consider that one of the main alterations caused by sleep deprivation the increase of the subjective perception, which presents a factor to decrease and compromise the physical performance per se, and may represent a masking element of the deleterious effects of sleep deprivation. Thus, the aim of present review is to discuss the different aspects of relationship between physical exercise and sleep deprivation, showing their effects and consequences in physical performance.