Chronic Low Quality Sleep Impairs Postural Control in Healthy Adults

Abstract

The lack of sleep, both in quality and quantity, is an increasing problem in modern society, often related to workload and stress. A number of studies have addressed the effects of acute (total) sleep deprivation on postural control. However, up to date, the effects of chronic sleep deficits, either in quantity or quality, have not been analyzed. Thirty healthy adults participated in the study that consisted of registering activity with a wrist actigraph for more than a week before performing a series of postural control tests. Sleep and circadian rhythm variables were correlated and the sum of activity of the least active 5-h period, L5, a rhythm variable, obtained the greater coefficient value with sleep quality variables (wake after sleep onset WASO and efficiency sleep). Cluster analysis was performed to classify subjects into two groups based on L5 (low and high). The balance tests scores used to asses postural control were measured using Biodex Balance System and were compared between the two groups with different sleep quality. The postural tests were divided into dynamic (platform tilt with eyes open, closed and cursor) and static (clinical test of sensory integration). The results showed that during the tests with eyes closed, the group with worse sleep quality had also worse postural control performance. Lack of vision impairs postural balance more deeply in subjects with chronic sleep inefficiency. Chronic poor sleep quality impairs postural control similarly to total sleep deprivation.

Insomnia and daytime sleepiness: risk factors for sports-related concussion

“…First, sub-optimal sleep is associated with increased reaction times; 30,32,39 attentional lapses; 29,31 degraded visual tracking; 31,32 reduced postural control and strength; 29,33,40,41 impaired emotional recognition, responsiveness, and control 34 ; and increased impulsivity and risky behavior. [35][36][37] Second, the cardiovascular, 38,39 endurance, 38 strength, 40,41 and accuracy 31,32 components of sport performance are reduced or impaired under inadequate or low quality sleeping conditions as well as daytime sleepiness.…”

“…[26][27][28] With respect to athletics, this is especially problematic. Chronic under-sleeping, sleep restriction, and sleep deprivation are associated with, and can result in, mental fatigue; 29,30 attentional lapses; 30,31 increased reaction time; 29,32 impaired predictive visual tracking; 31,32 reduced postural and dynamic motor control; 29,33 degraded intra-and inter-personal emotion regulation, perception, and responsiveness 34 ; and increased impulsivity and risk-taking behavior. [35][36][37] Furthermore, sport performance indices -including cardiovascular, 38,39 endurance, 38 strength, 40,41 and accuracy 31,32 outcomes -are reduced or impaired under inadequate or low quality sleeping conditions as well as daytime sleepiness or fatigue.…”

Potential for the development of light therapies in mild traumatic brain injury

“…Despite these recommendations, chronic sleep loss (<5.5 h/night of sleep) in the USA is reaching epidemic levels [ 47 ]. For individuals with chronic sleep loss, the consequences are numerous including increased somatization [ 48 , 49 ], poor emotional processing and responsiveness (e.g., increased incidence of depression and anxiety) [ 50–52 ], impaired cognition (vigilant attention, executive function, working and long-term memory) [ 53–56 ] and poor motor performance [ 57–59 ], as well as increased risk for general health issues including diabetes [ 60–62 ], cardiovascular disease [ 60 , 63 ], neurodegeneration [ 64 , 65 ] and overall poorer quality of life [ 66 ]. While the exact nature of this trend toward chronically undersleeping is not fully understood, work–life stress (e.g., increased expectations for high job-related hours, social stress) as well as the highly prevalent use of fluorescent lighting and blue-shifted light-emitting diode screens at night [ 67–69 ] are all implicated.…”

Biopsychosocial Measures Related to Chronic Low Back Pain Postural Control in Older Adults

“…Sleep quality influence balance capabilities. For example, a study conducted by Furtado and colleagues demonstrated the individuals with worse sleep quality performed worse on balance test with eyes closed [ 62 ]. Jorgensen and colleagues found that participants who described being “sleepy” had increased postural sway, relative to participants who reported being well-rested [ 63 ].…”