One night of sleep deprivation decreases endurance performance and affects hematological and lipid profiles in young recreational runners

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of one night of sleep deprivation on endurance exercise, hematological responses, and serum lipid levels. Thirteen recreational runners performed, in a randomized order, two test sessions after a control night (CONT) (i.e. bedtime from 23:00 h to 07:00 h) and one night of total sleep deprivation (TSD) (i.e. 26 hours of continuous wakefulness). At each session, subjects completed a 5-km run competition in a field setting. Blood samples were collected before and just after exercise. In comparison with control, sleep deprivation decreased 5-km run performance time (6.3%; p < .001) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (10.7%; p < .05), and increased levels of white blood cells (WBC) (31.4%; p < .01) and lymphocytes (LYM) (39.9%; p < .01) after exercise. In summary, endurance exercise improved serum lipid profile, while TSD decreased endurance performance, induced leukocytosis, and impaired lipid profile.