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Repeated-sprint exercise in hypoxia does not alter sleep quality in young male adults

In a crossover trial, ten healthy young men performed repeated-sprint exercise in hypoxia (FiO2 14.5%), normoxia (FiO2 20.9%), or no exercise (REST). Sleep quality measures (total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, sleep stages) did not differ significantly among conditions, but heart rate was higher and HRV-derived pNN50 was lower during the first 90 minutes of sleep after exercise compared to REST.

Last updated: Aug 14, 2026•1 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score42/100
Human RCT★★☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Repeated-sprint exercise in hypoxia does not alter sleep quality in young male adults.

observational

Matsudo H, Natsui T, Brocherie F, Goto K · European journal of applied physiology (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: Three separate trial days (crossover design)
Intervention: Repeated-sprint exercise in hypoxia (FiO2 14.5%) vs. normoxia (FiO2 20.9%) vs. no exercise (REST), performed between 4:30 PM and 6:00 PM
Outcome: Sleep quality (total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, sleep stages) and autonomic indices during sleep (heart rate, HRV pNN50, skin temperature)
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Ten healthy young male adults

Result:

PubMed: 42541537DOI: 10.1007/s00421-026-06366-8

Mechanism Graph

Exercise in hypoxia may increase sympathetic activation during recovery
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Higher sympathetic activity may elevate heart rate and reduce HRV (pNN50) during early sleep
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These autonomic changes are transient and do not disrupt overall sleep architecture
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Result: No significant change in sleep quality measures

Limitations

  • ⚠Small sample size (n=10) limits generalizability
  • ⚠Only young male adults studied, not applicable to females or older populations
  • ⚠Single night assessment may not capture long-term effects
  • ⚠No subjective sleep quality measures (e.g., PSQI) reported

Frequently Asked Questions

Does repeated-sprint exercise in hypoxia affect sleep quality?▼

No, the study found no significant differences in total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, or sleep stages between hypoxia, normoxia, and rest conditions.

What is the effect of hypoxia exercise on heart rate during sleep?▼

Heart rate was significantly higher during the first 90 minutes of sleep after hypoxia exercise (53 bpm) compared to rest (49 bpm), indicating increased autonomic arousal.

How does exercise in hypoxia affect heart rate variability during sleep?▼

pNN50, a measure of HRV, was significantly lower after both hypoxia (48.8%) and normoxia (50.4%) exercise compared to rest (58.3%), suggesting reduced parasympathetic activity in early sleep.

Is this study applicable to athletes or general population?▼

The study involved only ten healthy young males, so results may not generalize to females, older individuals, or those with sleep disorders.

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References

  1. 1.Matsudo H, Natsui T, Brocherie F, Goto K. "Repeated-sprint exercise in hypoxia does not alter sleep quality in young male adults.." European journal of applied physiology, 2026. PMID: 42541537 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-026-06366-8
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.