SLEEP DEPRIVATION
RESEARCH STUDY
Rowan University
Consumer Health Decisions –Fall 2013
Mike Bortnowski
Jeff Attenbrunn
Rachel Anzano
Brad Pastrick
“The worst
thing to do in
this world is to
try and sleep
and not to.”-F.
Scott Fitzgerald
RESEARCH OVERVIEW:
WHY IS SLEEP IMPORTANT?
. Sleep Deprivation can be defined as sleep that is
inefficient to support adequate alertness, performance,
performance, and health.
. 20% of Americans report getting less than 6 hours of
sleep each night
. Direct negative effect on emotional, physical, and
cognitive function
. One of the rising concerns and researched topics of
HealthyPeople2020
.Growing health risks are becoming directly correlated
to unhealthy sleeping habits
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
•
Sleep is important to function at optimal levels
academically and athletically
•
Sleep deprivation has a direct negative effect on
social life and psychological relationships
•
Sleeping habits can be indicative of being a healthy
or unhealthy person
•
Growing problem amongst the younger population
especially college age.
RESEARCH FINDINGS &LITERATURE
REVIEW
WHAT DOES LACK OF SLEEP DO TO YOU?
High levels of sleep deprivation is due to heavy
academic workloads and employment situations
• Through a physical standpoint, lack of sleep can
suppress the immune system and result in increased
susceptibility of contracting a disease or infection.
• Sleep deprivation has been known to decrease
performance through increased episodes of lapsing,
cognitive slowing, memory impairment and a
negative shift in reaction time
• Inhibits imperative skill to focus which is essential for
academic performance
•
PHYSICAL AFFECTS
48 hours of sleep deprivation leads to a 45 percent
decrease in ability to carry out physical tasks
• Decrease in both anaerobic and aerobic function
• Body does not adapt to elevated heart rates under
physical stress when fatigued.
• Sleep deprivation increases levels of cortisol, known as
the stress hormone.
• Decreases production of glycogen, stored
carbohydrates, for energy to be burned during
exercise
•
AFFECTS ON ACADEMIC
PERFORMANCE
•
Link between cognitive functioning and academic
performance among sleep deprived students.
•
An experiment conducted on college students
indicated that those who were sleep deprived of 24
hours scored significantly lower on critical thinking
tests than those who were not sleep deprived-2009
CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES
AND SLEEP DISTURBANCE
•
over 76 percent of students that drink exhibited poor
sleeping habits
•
More frequent tobacco users actually wake up
during the night from nicotine withdrawal
•
Nicotine is a stimulant
•
60% of students use some form of stimulant and
eighteen percent use other drugs or substances to
combat fatigue
RESEARCH QUESTION
How does sleep deprivation affect the lives of
college students?
METHODS OF CREATING A SURVEY
•
Used to carry out the study of sleep deprivation
among college students
•
Survey created after extensive research on topic
•
Specific demographics
•
75 Rowan students will take the survey at random
•
Results were evaluated to analyze results.
•
Was our research question answered?
METHODS OF CREATING A SURVEY
Surveyed students remained anonymous
Survey did not reveal the study was being conducted
on the sleeping habits among college students
Survey was free of bias
Survey was pilot tested amongst a smaller group in a
closed setting
Analyzed feedback and evaluated suggestions on
improvement
DEMOGRAPHICS
•
Male/Female
•
Age
•
Residence-On/Off Campus
•
Academic Major
•
Distance from Rowan University
•
Student athletes vs. Non Athletes
•
Semester credits
•
Greek Life
•
Classification
SURVEY LAYOUT
•
Consists of 3 different sections :
PART A
PART B
PART C
Demographic Questions
Both open ended and
fixed questions regarding
sleep patterns and info
pertaining to the survey
taker’s schedule
Fixed graph and rating
scale on fatigue levels
directly correlating to
sleep deprivation
SURVEY RESULTS & DISCUSSION
. Sleep deprivation negatively affects the lives of
college students
•
36% consume caffeinated beverages often and
•
73% consume alcoholic beverages at night
•
82% tired upon waking up, throughout the day, before
going to bed and after waking up from a nap
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
CONTINUED
•
Exercise is imperative for a healthy being- both
mentally and physically
•
Lack of sleep results in less energy, 51% workout on a
daily basis either occasionally or less
•
Wide array of majors
•
56% of students taking 15 credits or higher this
semester
•
33% not satisfied with their current grades
•
More than half of the students are employed and
majority work within the range of 11-20 hours
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
CONTINUED
•
64% participate in extracurricular activities and Greek
Life
•
All of these factors can limit the amount of sleep that
students get- in turn affect physical and mental
functions
INTERESTING FINDINGS
•
90% get 5-8 hours of sleep per night
•
Half of surveyed individuals are satisfied with amount
of sleep each night
•
95% have claimed to never fallen asleep at the wheel
•
75% have caimed to never fall asleep during class
FINAL THOUGHTS AND
IMPROVEMENTS
•
Increase sample size- 500
•
Compare college students to other groups of people (ie.
Adults)
•
Survey more students above the undergraduate levelGraduate/Professional Studies
•
More emphasis on outside factors such as employment
responsibilities and extracurricular activities.
RESOURCES:
•
Alic, M. (2011). Sleep Deprivation. In L. J. The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine.
Retrieved from
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CCX1919601595&v=2.1&u=spart
an_mcbl&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=
•
Clavenger, M., T. (2013). Sleep Deprivation Among College Students.
Retrieved from
http://www.uscupstate.edu/uploadedFiles/Academics/Undergraduate_Rese
arch/Symposium/Final%20Draft%202013.pdf#page=92
•
Drayton, W., Gullatt, C., & Johnson, L. M. (2006). Sleep deprivation among
college students. Paper presented at the 1639-1654. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/192409626?accountid=13605
•
Duval, S. (2010). Sleep deprived college students: asleep at the wheel.
Center for Advancing Health. Retrieved from
http://www.cfah.org/hbns/2010/sleep-deprived-college-students-asleep-atthe-wheel#.Ul9zQsXD_rf
CONTINUED:
•
Drowsy Driving. 12 Oct. 2013. <http://drowsydriving.org/about/facts-and-stats/>.
•
Healthy People 2020. (2013). Sleep health. Retrieved from
http://healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=38
•
National Sleep Foundation (2010). Sleep, athletic performance, and recovery. NSF for
Healthcare Professionals. Retrieved from
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/alert/sleep-athletic-performance-and-recovery
•
Singleton, A. R., & Wolfson, R.A. (2009). Alcohol consumption, sleep, and academic
performance among college students. Retrieved from
http://www.jsad.com/jsad/downloadarticle/Alcohol_Consumption_Sleep_and_Academ
ic_Performance_Among_College_Students/4614.pdf
•
Taheri, M., & Arabameri, E. (2012). The effect of sleep deprivation on choice reaction
time and anaerobic power of college student athletes. Asian Journal of Sports Medicine,
3(1), 15-20. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=76269623&site=ehost
-live
•
University Health Center Sleep. (n.d.) (2013). University Health Center at the University of
Georgia, http://www.uhs.uga.edu/sleep/