Sleep
Conditions
Brief summary
The proposed research will examine the role of physical activity (PA) on altering sleep quality (SQ) while systematically examining novel mechanisms that may drive changes in SQ. Specifically, the study will examine how a 2 week reduction in PA alters sleep quality in young, healthy individuals. Additionally, during this reduction in PA, the study will examine changes in inflammation, oxidative stress, and sympathetic activity to identify potential mechanisms for alterations in sleep quality.
Detailed description
Sleep, which makes up approximately one third of an individual's life, plays a vital role in normal bodily functioning by regulating metabolic and endocrine function. Disturbed sleep, defined as any alteration to normal sleep patterns, is highly prevalent, affecting 35% and 41% of the general population in the United States and has been linked to poor cardiovascular health, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Young adults are a population at high risk for disturbed sleep-related health outcomes due to negative lifestyle behaviors such as alcohol consumption, drug use, study patterns, and excessive screen time that remain with advancing age. Due to the importance of improving or maintaining health outcomes through adequate sleep quality (SQ), the proposed research will examine the role of physical activity (PA) on altering SQ while systematically examining novel mechanisms that may drive changes in SQ. Specifically, this study will examine how alterations (increases and decreases) in PA impact SQ and how these alterations modify inflammation, oxidative stress, and sympathetic stimulation in young adults.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALReduced Physical Activity
Preliminary Phase (Baseline to Day 7): Subjects will begin wearing an accelerometer for 7 days to track physical activity and sleep patterns. Experimental Phase 1 (Day 7 to Day 21): Participants will be required to reduce their step count by 5,000 steps per day and engage in no moderate-vigorous physical activity during this timeframe. Every 7 days subjects undergo the blood draw, vascular health measures and questionnaire assessments. Experimental Phase 2 (Day 21 to 28): During the week of assessment, subjects will be asked to return to their normal physical activity patterns.
Sponsors
Virginia Commonwealth University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Healthy individuals with average weekly step count greater than 7500 * Low risk of cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic disease
Exclusion criteria
* Individuals with cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic disease * Individuals taking medications that may affect cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic function * Diet differs substantially from typical diet, significant calorie restriction, or vitamin/mineral deficiencies * Pregnant women * Prisoners
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in sleep quality (phase 1) | Day 7 to Day 21 | Evaluation of sleep efficiency (the ratio of total sleep time to the total time recorded in which the subject was not asleep (i.e. brief awakenings)) |
| Change in sleep quality (phase 2) | Day 21 to Day 28 | Evaluation of sleep efficiency (the ratio of total sleep time to the total time recorded in which the subject was not asleep (i.e. brief awakenings)) |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Level of Interleukin-1 in blood | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | Measurement of inflammation with greater levels indicating more inflammation |
| Level of Norepinephrine in blood | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | Measurement of catecholamine production with greater levels indicating more production |
| Level of Epinephrine in blood | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | Measurement of catecholamine production with greater levels indicating more production |
| Level of Lipid peroxidation in blood | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | Measurement of oxidative stress with greater levels indicating more oxidative stress |
| Level of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in blood | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | Measurement of inflammation with greater levels indicating more inflammation |
| Change in Lower Limb Vascular Function | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | Measurement of popliteal artery dilation after 5 minutes of lower limb occlusion |
| Change in Upper Limb Vascular Function | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | Measurement of brachial artery dilation after 5 minutes of lower limb occlusion |
| Change in Leg Vascular Function | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | Measurement of leg blood flow during 1 minute of passive leg movement |
| Protein oxidation in blood | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | Measurement of oxidative stress with greater levels indicating more oxidative stress |
| Level of Interleukin-6 in blood | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | Measurement of inflammation with greater levels indicating more inflammation |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed