Changing Sleep Architecture through Motor Learning: Influences of a Trampoline Session on REM Sleep Parameters

TL;DR

This study shows that learning a motor task like trampolining can influence REM sleep, suggesting it plays a role in motor memory consolidation.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel approach by examining the effects of trampoline-based motor learning on REM sleep architecture.

Findings

Learning a motor task increased REM sleep parameters compared to a control task.

The effect on REM sleep was smaller than in previous studies, possibly due to less intense motor learning.

Morning REM sleep may be crucial for motor memory consolidation after complex motor tasks.

Abstract

Previous research has shown that learning procedural tasks enhances REM sleep the following night. Here, we investigate whether complex motor learning affects sleep architecture. An experiment in which twenty-two subjects either learned a motor task (trampolining) or engaged in a control task (ergometer) was carried out in a balanced within-group design. After an initial laboratory adaptation night, two experimental nights were consecutive. The results indicate that learning a motor task had an effect on REM sleep parameters and, therefore, support the hypothesis that learning a procedural skill is related to an increase in REM sleep parameters. However, the statistical effect on REM sleep is smaller than found in previous studies. One might speculate that the motor learning was not intense enough compared to other studies. For sports practice, the results suggest that REM sleep, which is particularly rich in the morning, plays an important role in motor memory consolidation. Thus, this phase should not be interrupted after complex motor skill learning sessions. In future studies, other motor tasks should be applied.