The Impact of Physical (In)Activity on Sleep Quality

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The proposed research will examine the role of physical activity (PA) on altering sleep quality (SQ) while systematically examining novel mechanisms that may drive changes in SQ. Specifically, the study will examine how a 2 week reduction in PA alters sleep quality in young, healthy individuals. Additionally, during this reduction in PA, the study will examine changes in inflammation, oxidative stress, and sympathetic activity to identify potential mechanisms for alterations in sleep quality.

Detailed Description
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Sleep, which makes up approximately one third of an individual's life, plays a vital role in normal bodily functioning by regulating metabolic and endocrine function. Disturbed sleep, defined as any alteration to normal sleep patterns, is highly prevalent, affecting 35% and 41% of the general population in the United States and has been linked to poor cardiovascular health, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Young adults are a population at high risk for disturbed sleep-related health outcomes due to negative lifestyle behaviors such as alcohol consumption, drug use, study patterns, and excessive screen time that remain with advancing age. Due to the importance of improving or maintaining health outcomes through adequate sleep quality (SQ), the proposed research will examine the role of physical activity (PA) on altering SQ while systematically examining novel mechanisms that may drive changes in SQ. Specifically, this study will examine how alterations (increases and decreases) in PA impact SQ and how these alterations modify inflammation, oxidative stress, and sympathetic stimulation in young adults.

Official Title
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The Impact of Physical (In)Activity on Sleep Quality

Conditions
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Sleep

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Reduced Physical Activity


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Healthy individuals with average weekly step count greater than 7500 Low risk of cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic disease Exclusion Criteria: Individuals with cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic disease Individuals taking medications that may affect cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic function Diet differs substantially from typical diet, significant calorie restriction, or vitamin/mineral deficiencies Pregnant women Prisoners

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Reduced Physical Activity<br>Participants will reduce their physical activity level by >5000 steps per day for two weeks. | Behavioral: Reduced Physical Activity<br>* Preliminary Phase (Baseline to Day 7): Subjects will begin wearing an accelerometer for 7 days to track physical activity and sleep patterns. Experimental Phase 1 (Day 7 to Day 21): Participants will be required to reduce their step count by 5,000 steps per day and engage in no moderate-vigorous physical activity during this timeframe. Every 7 days subjects undergo the blood draw, vascular health measures and questionnaire assessments. Experimental Phase 2 (Day 21 to 28): During the week of assessment, subjects will be asked to return to their normal physical activity patterns.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in sleep quality (phase 1) | Evaluation of sleep efficiency (the ratio of total sleep time to the total time recorded in which the subject was not asleep (i.e. brief awakenings)) | Day 7 to Day 21 | 
| Change in sleep quality (phase 2) | Evaluation of sleep efficiency (the ratio of total sleep time to the total time recorded in which the subject was not asleep (i.e. brief awakenings)) | Day 21 to Day 28 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Level of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in blood | Measurement of inflammation with greater levels indicating more inflammation | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | 
| Level of Interleukin-6 in blood | Measurement of inflammation with greater levels indicating more inflammation | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | 
| Level of Interleukin-1 in blood | Measurement of inflammation with greater levels indicating more inflammation | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | 
| Level of Norepinephrine in blood | Measurement of catecholamine production with greater levels indicating more production | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | 
| Level of Epinephrine in blood | Measurement of catecholamine production with greater levels indicating more production | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | 
| Level of Lipid peroxidation in blood | Measurement of oxidative stress with greater levels indicating more oxidative stress | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | 
| Protein oxidation in blood | Measurement of oxidative stress with greater levels indicating more oxidative stress | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | 
| Change in Lower Limb Vascular Function | Measurement of popliteal artery dilation after 5 minutes of lower limb occlusion | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | 
| Change in Upper Limb Vascular Function | Measurement of brachial artery dilation after 5 minutes of lower limb occlusion | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 | 
| Change in Leg Vascular Function | Measurement of leg blood flow during 1 minute of passive leg movement | Measured on Day 7, Day 14, Day 21, Day 28 |