A team of researchers from the University of Portsmouth (UK) has dedicated a new study to restoring cognitive functions after sleep deprivation. It turns out that effectively rebooting the brain, even with a lack of oxygen in the body, is not as difficult as one might think.
Scientists have repeatedly raised alarms about the widespread tendency of modern individuals to skimp on sleep and have warned about the dire consequences of sleep deprivation. According to statistics, about 43 percent of people do not get the recommended 7–9 hours of sleep per night. This has significant implications for their physical and mental health, as reported by Science Alert.
What the Study Revealed
The next time you feel the urge to take a nap after a poor night’s sleep, consider hopping on a stationary bike instead, advises the university team.
It is well-known that sleep deprivation leads to decreased cognitive abilities and a deficiency of oxygen in the blood. However, researchers have now discovered that a short cycling session can enhance brain function even under low oxygen levels.
The scientists conducted two experiments, each involving 12 healthy adult volunteers. In the first experiment, the team tested participants’ cognitive abilities after three nights of partial sleep deprivation, and in the second, after one night of total sleep deprivation in a state of hypoxia (low oxygen levels in the body).
After each testing session, participants engaged in cycling on a stationary bike and then underwent testing again. Analyzing the results, the team reached some intriguing conclusions. The key finding was that a 20-minute cycling session improves brain function after both partial and total sleep deprivation, even in hypoxic conditions.
According to the researchers, this information could be beneficial for a wide audience, from new parents to mountaineers.
Researchers’ Comments
Scientists have long known that physical exercise enhances or maintains our cognitive abilities, noted physiologist Joe Costello. However, this is the first study demonstrating that exercise also improves cognitive functions after both total and partial sleep deprivation combined with oxygen deficiency.
For a more thorough investigation of the topic, the team requires further research. Yet, they already have some new valuable insights regarding sleep, exercise, and cognitive abilities, as multiple stress factors were tested during the experiments.
“Sleep deprivation often occurs alongside other stress factors,” said physiologist Thomas Williams. For instance, individuals who are at high altitudes may also experience sleep disturbances.
quality sleep, rather than trying to make up for lost sleep every morning.
As Joe Costello summarized, the study’s results reaffirmed scientists’ belief that “movement is medicine for the body and the brain.” The findings from the study were published in the journal Physiology & Behavior.