Eyes Open, Eyes Closed: Exploring the Cognitive and Neurophysiological Features of Sleep and Physical Activity

Abstract

Background: Poor sleep has been linked to negative health outcomes across the lifespan while physical activity has been explored as a protective factor for health. Research examining sleep and neuropsychological functioning have most consistently shown working memory and attentional deficits are associated with poor sleep and that exercise has been linked to better neuropsychological performance. Purpose: The current study aimed to further examine how sleep and physical activity relate to neuropsychological and neurophysiological functioning. Methods: Participants included 106 (64 men) healthy undergraduate students who were asked to complete a series of self-report inventories assessing personality, mood, physical activity, and sleep behaviors. They were also asked to complete a psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) and alpha (8-12 Hz) frontal asymmetry baseline recordings (measured by EEG). Finally, participants completed a neuropsychological test battery measuring general cognitive functioning, spatial processing, new learning and memory, and attention/executive functioning. Results: Bivariate correlational and multiple regression analyses were performed to explore the neurophysiological and cognitive aspects of sleep and physical activity. The present data provided some support for the hypotheses of the three aims. Discussion: The results of this study further demonstrate the need to explore the complex relationships among sleep, physical activity, and neuropsychological functioning. Implications for future research and potential clinical intervention are discussed.