Sleep Deprivation: Cytokine and Neuroendocrine Effects on Perception of Effort

Abstract

Introduction An increased perception of effort and subjective fatigue are thought to be central to decreased exercise performance observed after disrupted sleep. However, there is limited understanding of mechanisms that underpin these phenomena. We investigated the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6), the soluble IL-6 receptor, and neuroendocrine factors (cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and brain-derived neurotropic factor) in mediating these responses at rest and during exercise. Methods In a randomized order, 10 healthy active men completed three experimental trials following different sleep conditions: a single night of sleep deprivation, partial sleep deprivation equivalent to 4 h of sleep, and normal sleep. The experimental sessions consisted of physiological and perceptual measurements of exercise intensity throughout 45-min moderate intensity and 15-min maximal effort cycling. Cytokine and neuroendocrine factors were assessed at rest and in response to exercise. Results Sleep deprivation resulted in increased resting IL-6, lower blood glucose, increased perceived fatigue and perception of effort, lower free-living energy expenditure, and reduced maximal exercise performance. In contrast, sleep deprivation did not alter physiological, cytokine, or neuroendocrine responses to exercise. Variations in the resting concentration of IL-6 were associated with lowered blood glucose, an increased perception of effort, and impaired exercise performance. Resting concentrations of cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and BNDF showed subtle interactions with specific aspects of mood status and performance but were not affected by sleep deprivation. There were minimal effects of partial sleep deprivation. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that cytokine and neuroendocrine responses to exercise are not altered by sleep deprivation but that changes in the resting concentration of IL-6 may play a role in altered perception of effort in this context.

Effects of Acute Sleep Loss on Physical Performance: A Systematic and Meta-Analytical Review

“…Seventy-five publications met the inclusion criteria; however six had to be excluded because data (1) could not be extracted (or retrieved) [114][115][116]; or (2) were reported in another included publication [117][118][119]. Therefore, 69 publications remained for analysis.…”

Effects of acute sleep deprivation on H reflex and V wave

“…Thus, the present study aimed to investigate whether sleep deprivation induces specific alterations of the V-wave and H-reflex responses. Because sleep deprivation increases the perceived exertion for muscle activation (Cullen, Thomas, & Wadley, 2020), we hypothesized that 24 hr of sleep deprivation would induce a reduction in maximal volitional effort and thus in V-wave amplitude recorded from the soleus muscle electromyography (EMG) during plantarflexion MVC, whereas soleus H-reflex recruitment parameters would remain essentially unchanged.…”

Aerobic Exercise Alleviates the Impairment of Cognitive Control Ability Induced by Sleep Deprivation in College Students: Research Based on Go/NoGo Task

“…Studies have found that reduced levels of available glucose (Gailliot and Baumeister, 2007 ; Cullen et al, 2020 ) and 5-ht (Zimmer et al, 2016 ) in the brain can impair cognitive control. Since glucose and 5-ht contents in blood are positively correlated with those in cerebrospinal fluid (Audhya et al, 2012 ), this study reflects changes in the central nervous system after sleep deprivation by detecting glucose and 5-ht contents in peripheral blood.…”