Acute Sleep Loss Impairs Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
How Does Acute Sleep Loss Affect Physical Performance and Athletic Ability?
Acute sleep loss significantly impairs physical performance across multiple domains, with this systematic review and meta-analysis showing meaningful decrements in strength, power, endurance, and reaction time following sleep deprivation. The analysis found that sleep loss of 24+ hours reduces maximal strength by 8-12%, power output by 7-15%, and endurance performance by 10-20%. Even partial sleep restriction (4-6 hours) produces measurable performance decrements, though smaller than total sleep deprivation. The effects are most pronounced for complex, skill-based activities and sustained endurance tasks, while simple strength tasks may be less affected.