The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Variation of Oxidative Stress, hs-CRP and Cortisol Induced by Sleep Deficiency

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of sleep deficiency (SD) on oxidative stress, hs-CRP and cortisol levels and to examine the effects of different intensities of aerobic exercise on these parameters under SD conditions. Thirty-two healthy male university students participated in the study and underwent both normal sleep (NS, 8 h of sleep per night for 3 consecutive days) and SD (4 h of sleep per night for 3 consecutive days). After the SD period, the participants performed treatment for 30 min according to their assigned group [sleep supplement after SD (SSD), low-intensity aerobic exercise after SD (LES), moderate-intensity aerobic exercise after SD (MES), high-intensity aerobic exercise after SD (HES)]. Sleep-related factors were measured at NS and SD, while oxidative stress, hs-CRP and cortisol levels were measured at NS, SD and immediately after treatment by group (AT). The results showed that actual total sleep time (ATST) was significantly reduced during SD compared to NS (p p p p p p p p > 0.05). These results suggest that LES is the most effective exercise intensity for mitigating the negative effects of SD.

Keywords

• sleep deficiency
• aerobic exercise
• oxidative stress
• hs-CRP
• cortisol