RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Effect of Sleep Extension in Prevention to Sleep Deprivation

This study wants to find out how a lack of sleep affects a person's ability to run for a long time. When people compete, especially in very long events, they often don't get enough sleep, which can make them feel more tired and perform worse. Athletes sometimes try to sleep extra in the days leading up to a competition, hoping this 'sleep extension' will help them cope with later sleep loss. We also want to see if this effect is the same for everyone, as some people might naturally be better at dealing with not enough sleep. The study focuses on physically active men and women aged 18 to 50 who run regularly, to understand how sleep — or the lack of it — impacts their performance and how they feel during exercise.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Saint Etienne

Enrolment target

Start

12 Jun 2025

Estimated completion

01 Mar 2028

Healthy

What is this study about?

This research is looking into something many of us can relate to: how not getting enough sleep affects our ability to perform, especially when we're doing something physically demanding like running for a long time. When people are preparing for or taking part in challenging events, they might find their sleep is cut short, and this can make them feel more tired and impact their performance. For very long endurance sports, athletes might even go for a night or more without sleep.

Previous studies have hinted that a lack of sleep can make exercise feel much harder, which then makes people slow down. One idea to combat this is called 'sleep extension' – basically, sleeping more than usual for a few days before an event. We want to see if this really works to reduce the negative effects of later sleep loss during a long run.

The study also aims to understand why some people seem to cope better with not enough sleep than others. There might be genetic reasons for this difference, and knowing more could help us give better advice to athletes and anyone who might face sleep challenges before a big event.

Key takeaways

This study explores how sleep, or lack of it, impacts long-distance running performance.
It tests if extra sleep before an event can help counter the effects of sleep loss.
Researchers want to understand why some people cope better with limited sleep.
Participants must be healthy, active runners aged 18-50.
The study aims to provide better advice for athletes on managing sleep around competitions.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be a man or a woman between 18 and 50 years old. You should be physically active, meaning you run at least one hour a week. We also ask that you haven't taken part in any competitions in the month before you start the study and won't compete during the study itself. You should usually sleep for 6 to 8 hours each night.

There are some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. If you have any ongoing health problems, work night shifts, or have certain sleep issues like severe snoring or struggling to stay awake during the day, you wouldn't be eligible. We'll ask you to fill out questionnaires to check for these sleep problems.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 50 years old?
Do you run for at least an hour every week?
Do you usually get 6-8 hours of sleep per night?
Have you avoided competitions in the last month and won't compete during the study?
Do you have any ongoing health problems or work night shifts? (If so, you might not be eligible.)

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

The detailed involvement for this study is not fully described in the provided text. However, based on the summary, participation would likely involve attending several study visits where your sleep patterns might be monitored, and you would perform prolonged running exercises under different sleep conditions (e.g., after a night of no sleep, or after having extra sleep). Researchers would measure your performance during these runs and how tired you feel. The total duration of your participation is not specified but would likely span several weeks to allow for different sleep interventions and exercise tests. You would not be given any study medication.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study could offer insights into how your own body responds to different sleep patterns and exercise. It might also help contribute to scientific knowledge that could benefit athletes in the future. Potential risks might include feeling tired or performing less well during the exercise tests due to sleep deprivation, which could be challenging. As with any exercise, there's a risk of discomfort or minor injury. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, and it will not affect your medical care or relationship with the researchers.

Locations (1)

FEASSON Léonard
Verified postcode
Saint-Etienne, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'sleep extension'?

Sleep extension means sleeping more than you usually do for a few days before a big event or challenge, hoping it will help you cope if you don't get enough sleep later.

What is 'sleep deprivation'?

Sleep deprivation means not getting enough sleep for your body's needs. In this study, it might mean having very little or no sleep for a set period.

How will my running performance be measured?

While not fully detailed, researchers will likely measure how far or fast you can run during a prolonged exercise test, and how hard you feel you are working.

Will I have to run a marathon?

The study mentions 'prolonged running exercise,' but it doesn't specify the exact distance or type of run. It's likely to be a sustained running test, not necessarily a full marathon.

Who is funding this study?

The information provided does not state who is funding this research study.

How to find out more

Diana RIMAUD, science Doctor

diana.rimaud@chu-st-etienne.fr 0477120467 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.