Effects of Daytime Napping on Neuromuscular Performance and Cognitive Performance

Shee, Zhe Pin (2024) Effects of Daytime Napping on Neuromuscular Performance and Cognitive Performance. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of daytime napping on neuromuscular performance and cognitive performance. A total of 14 female student-athletes in each group participated in this study. The subjects’ age, body mass, height, and competitive experience were 20 ± 1.80 years old, 52.62 ± 6.04 kg, 160.79 ± 3.23 cm, and 6.71 ± 2.84 years, respectively, in the 30-minute group. In the 60-minute group, the subjects’ age, body mass, height, and competitive experience were 20.5 ± 1.56 years old, 54.17 ± 9.59 kg, 160.16 ± 6.51 cm, 7.14 ± 2.69 years, respectively. Subjects underwent 1 familiarization session for countermovement jump (CMJ) test, cognitive performance tests (i.e., Digit Span Forward (DSF), Digit Span Backward (DSB), Corsi Block (CB), Serial 7’s (S7) ), and fatigue protocol (i.e., flywheel squats). Besides, they also underwent 2 experimental trials. A 7-day wash out period was allocated after the familiarization sessions. The first experimental trial was conducted to determine their baseline neuromuscular and cognitive performance, assessed through the CMJ test conducting using a force platform, and the cognitive tests aforementioned, respectively. Variables such as jump height, modified relative strength index (modified RSI), and relative peak force was be obtained from the CMJ test to reflect neuromuscular performance. The second experimental trial was conducted to determine the effect of daytime napping on neuromuscular and cognitive performance, following a muscle fatigue protocol. Results indicated that there were no significant differences in both neuromuscular and cognitive performance between the 30-minute napping group and 60-minute napping group. However, there was a statistically significant difference observed in the modified RSI, and CB performance between trials in the 30-minute napping group. Whereas there was a statistically significant difference observed in the modified RSI, relative peak force, CB and DSB performance between trials in the 60-minute napping group. Hence, it was concluded that both napping durations seems equally effective in counteracting the neuromuscular and cognitive performance deuteriation due to muscle fatigue, and may be effective in improving certain aspects of neuromuscular and cognitive performance.