The impact of strategic napping on peak expiratory flow and respiratory function in young elite athletes

TL;DR

This study finds that a 45-minute nap can improve peak expiratory flow in young elite athletes, potentially enhancing their respiratory performance.

Contribution

The study introduces evidence that strategic napping can specifically enhance peak expiratory flow in elite athletes.

Findings

A 45-minute nap significantly increased peak expiratory flow compared to no nap.

Other respiratory parameters like FEV1 and FVC showed no significant changes with napping.

Strategic napping may offer a non-invasive way to improve respiratory performance in athletes.

Abstract

Respiratory health is a critical determinant of athletic performance, and the utilization of restorative strategies, such as strategic napping, may offer a competitive edge to athletes. This study investigates the effects of nap duration on the respiratory function of young elite athletes who have achieved top rankings national competitions. Participants engage in three test sessions with varying nap durations: no nap (N0), a 25-minute nap (N25), and a 45-minute nap (N45), with a minimum 72-hour interval between sessions. Respiratory parameters including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak Expiratory Flow rate (PEF), Forced Expiratory Flow at 25–75% of FVC (FEF25-75%), and Forced Expiratory Time (FET) are assessed. Results reveal a significant enhancement in PEF values following a 45-minute nap (N45) compared to the no-nap control (N0) [F1 − 11=7.356, p =.004, ηp2 = 0.401, (95% CI for difference: -1.56 to − 0.056)], indicating a potential positive influence of napping on maximum expiratory flow rate and, consequently, athletes’ respiratory performance. While no significant changes are observed in other respiratory parameters across different nap durations, these findings underscore the potential benefits of strategic napping in optimizing respiratory health in young elite athletes.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13102-024-00842-4.

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