Sleep loss, mood state, and performance of extreme intensity cycling exercise

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of one night’s sleep loss on mood state and exercise performance, for the purpose of identifying relationships between mood state and performance. A within-subjects repeated-measures design was used. Seven women (21 ± 2 y, 164 ± 9 cm, 62 ± 14 kg) participated. They completed Profile of Mood States questionnaires and performed exhaustive extreme intensity cycle ergometer tests (310 ± 70 W) before, and on three consecutive days following, one night’s sleep loss. Mean time to exhaustion was not affected by sleep loss. Mean total mood state disturbance was elevated on days 1 and 2 after sleep loss compared to baseline. There were strong correlations (r > 0.82) between individual changes (day 1 minus baseline, day 2 minus baseline, day 3 minus baseline) in time to exhaustion and individual changes in mood state: changes in time to exhaustion were associated with changes in the fatigue subscore on day 1; with changes in the vigour subscore on day 2, and with changes in the fatigue subscore on day 3. These results demonstrate a relationship, which may or may not reflect causality, between mood state and performance.