ECSS Paris 2023: CP-SH02
INTRODUCTION In extreme endurance sports, athletes face simultaneous physical and cognitive demands under conditions of sleep deprivation, which may compromise performance during prolonged competitions. Acute sleep loss impairs physical endurance [1] and cognitive functions [2] particularly attentional processes. Understanding vulnerability to sleep loss and recovery capacity is therefore essential to optimize performance management. The present study investigated the effects of a progressive four-day sleep restriction protocol on cognitive performance, subjective perception, and inter-individual variability. METHODS Thirty-six participants (16 men, 20 women; 32 ± 7 years) completed a protocol consisting of 8h reference sleep (REF), total sleep deprivation (TSD), 3h restricted sleep recovery (RSR), and 8h recovery sleep (RECOV). Actigraphy during the seven days preceding the protocol provided baseline sleep activity. Participants performed high cognitive-demand tasks assessing multitasking (MATB-II), attention networks (ANT), sustained attention (PVT), processing speed (DGSS), and vigilance in a driving simulator (MRDS). Performance outcomes included accuracy, reaction times, lapses, precision and driving stability. Subjective measures included perceived workload (NASA-TLX), sleepiness (KSS), and mood (POMS). Repeated-measures ANOVAs (or Friedman tests) assessed sleep condition effects (α=0.05). Correlation analyses and principal component analyses (PCA) were conducted to explore individual susceptibility to deprivation and recovery capacity by integrating baseline sleep parameters, cognitive performance changes, and subjective responses. RESULTS Sleep condition affected all cognitive metrics (p<0.001). TSD induced impairments in reaction time, accuracy, lapses, and driving stability (p < 0.05). RSR led to performance recovery relative to TSD (p < 0.05). Only vigilance tasks highly sensitive to microsleep episodes, such as MRDS, remained impaired (p=0.99). Subjective sleepiness, workload, and mood followed a similar pattern. After RECOV, both objective and subjective measures returned to baseline. Multivariate analyses revealed correlations (0.50 < r < 0.70) between habitual sleep duration, individual characteristics, cognitive performance changes, and perceived effort, with distinct association patterns after TSD versus RSR. DISCUSSION Total sleep deprivation impairs attentional processes, whereas restricted sleep recovery restores many functions but leaves vigilance partly impaired. Inter-individual variability, linked to habitual sleep patterns and personal traits, reveals distinct susceptibility and recovery profiles. These findings support the use of integrative multivariate approaches to better optimize sleep management strategies in contexts combining prolonged physical and cognitive demands. REFERENCES 1. Lopes P, et al., European Journal of Sport Science, vol. 23, juill. 2023 2. Wüst LN, et al., Sleep Medicine Reviews, vol. 76, août 2024
Read CV Alexis BOFFETECSS Paris 2023: CP-SH02
Background Perfectionism is a multifaceted construct that is associated with high levels of achievement and psychological vulnerability. Participants in aesthetic sports and performing arts are frequently evaluated for their technical precision and physical form. However, empirical evidence comparing perfectionism and anxiety between this population and general university students is scarce. Purpose This study aims to compare levels of perfectionism and anxiety among female university students, specifically between those who participate in aesthetic sports and performing arts and those who do not. Associations between perfectionism and state and trait anxiety were further examined within the aesthetic sports and performing arts group. Methods Participants were 34 female general university students (mean age = 20.53 years) and 24 female university students actively engaged in aesthetic sports and performing arts (e.g., classical ballet, dance, gymnastics, and figure skating; mean age = 20.29 years). One participant who had been diagnosed with an eating disorder was excluded from the analysis. Perfectionism was assessed using the New Perfectionism Scale (Sakurai & Otani, 1997), and anxiety was measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Independent-sample t-tests were conducted for group comparisons, and Pearson correlations were calculated within the aesthetic sports and performing arts group. Results Students in aesthetic sports and performing arts demonstrated significantly higher total perfectionism scores (M = 91.33, SD = 8.14) than general students (M = 63.62, SD = 6.16), t(56) = -14.07, p < .001, Cohen’s d = 3.94. No significant group differences were found in state or trait anxiety. Within the aesthetic sports and performing arts group, perfectionism showed a moderate positive association with state anxiety (r = .35, p = .09), indicating a trend toward statistical significance, whereas no significant association was observed with trait anxiety (r = .06, p = .78). Conclusions Female university students who actively participated in aesthetic sports and performing arts exhibited markedly elevated perfectionistic tendencies compared to their general peers. Elevated perfectionism does not necessarily correspond to higher baseline anxiety. However, its association with state anxiety suggests that perfectionistic traits may become particularly salient in evaluative or performance-related situations. These findings advance the understanding of psychological characteristics in performance-oriented environments and may inform context-sensitive psychological support.
Read CV Nao ShikanaiECSS Paris 2023: CP-SH02
INTRODUCTION: Anxiety is common in adults and often co-occurs with depressive symptoms and poor sleep. It may relate to HPA-axis dysregulation reflected in the cortisol awakening response (CAR). Exercise is a safe, low-cost option, but many adults struggle to fit continuous aerobic sessions into their schedules. Accumulated aerobic exercise delivered in short bouts may lower this barrier, yet short-term evidence—especially for CAR—is limited. We conducted a 4-week pilot RCT to assess feasibility, adherence, and acceptability, and to estimate preliminary effects on anxiety, depression, sleep, and CAR. METHODS: Adults aged 18–44 with mild-to-moderate anxiety (GAD-7 5–14) were recruited online. After e-consent, 20 participants were randomized 1:1 to accumulated aerobic running (EX, n=10) or control (CON, n=10; usual activity). The 4-week program was 3 days/week: 3×10-min bouts/day (≥2 h apart) at Borg CR10 RPE 3–4, logged via a smartphone app with researcher feedback. Primary outcome was GAD-7; secondary outcomes were PHQ-9, PSQI, and CAR. CAR was assessed at baseline and post-intervention (saliva at awakening, +30, +45, +60 min); awakening cortisol (C0), AUCg, and AUCi were calculated. Feasibility included recruitment/retention, adherence (≥10/12 exercise days), assessment completion, and adverse events; acceptability used a 4-item Likert scale. Effects were analyzed using Bayesian linear mixed-effects models (group×time), reporting posterior mean differences (95% CrI). RESULTS: Twenty participants were randomized (EX=10; CON=10). Follow-up completion was 95% (19/20); one EX participant withdrew for a non-study-related health reason, and no adverse events occurred. Adherence among EX completers was 100% (≥10/12 exercise days). Acceptability was high (accumulated exercise: 8.22±1.39/10; remote supervision: 8.78±0.97/10). Compared with CON, EX showed greater reductions in GAD-7 and PSQI (GAD-7: −0.68, 95% CrI −1.13 to −0.20; PSQI: −0.51, 95% CrI −0.96 to −0.06). The between-group effect for PHQ-9 was directionally favorable but uncertain (−0.59, 95% CrI −1.28 to 0.10). CAR indices showed small directional shifts, but between-group effects were uncertain with all 95% CrIs including 0 (C0: −0.14, −1.38 to 1.07; AUCg: 0.25, −1.03 to 1.52; AUCi: 0.26, −1.19 to 1.63). Across 0–60 min post-awakening, cortisol increased to ~45 min on average and group profiles largely overlapped (wide CrIs). CONCLUSION: Remotely supervised accumulated aerobic running appears feasible, safe, and acceptable, with preliminary improvements in anxiety and sleep. Effects on depression and CAR were uncertain (95% CrIs crossed 0); a larger RCT is needed to confirm effects and examine mechanisms.
Read CV haoru liuECSS Paris 2023: CP-SH02