Interval training has more negative effects on sleep in adolescent speed skaters: a randomized cross controlled trial.

Objective: Sleep is an essential component of athletic performance and recovery. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different types of high-intensity exercise on sleep parameters in adolescent speed skaters.
Methods: Eighteen male adolescent speed skaters underwent aerobic capacity testing, Wingate testing, and interval training in a randomized crossover design to assess strength output, heart rate, and blood lactate levels during exercise. Sleep quality after each type of exercise was evaluated using the Firstbeat Bodyguard 3 monitor.
Results: The results showed that Wingate testing and interval training led to decreased sleep duration, increased duration of stress, decreased RMSSD, and increased LF/HF ratio ( p  < 0.01). Conversely, aerobic capacity testing did not significantly affect sleep ( p  > 0.05). The impact of interval training on sleep parameters was more significant compared to aerobic capacity testing ( p  < 0.01) and Wingate testing ( p  < 0.01).
Conclusion: High-intensity anaerobic exercise has a profound impact on athletes' sleep, primarily resulting in decreased sleep duration, increased stress duration, decreased RMSSD, and increased LF/HF ratio.
Competing Interests: XW is employed by Zhejiang Qiangnao Technology Co., Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
(© 2024 Kong, Wei, Shen, Cheng and Feng.)