Optimizing Daytime Short Sleep Episodes to Maximize Performance in a Stressful Environment

This study provides the baseline and initial assessment of the napping habits of the United States Military Academy Class of 2007. This portion of a 4-year longitudinal study examines data collected on 62 Cadets over 32 days from 4 October 2004 to 4 November 2004 using actigraphy data and sleep logs. Data were stratified and cleaned in accordance with nap infrastructure, a term used to differentiate between naps of different duration and times of day based upon the phases and waves with which they tend to be associated. A total of 607 naps were reported for a total of 73.3 hours of sleep in addition to primary nocturnal sleep PNS. Naps ranged from 15 minutes to 6 hours in duration and occurred most frequently on weekdays. This finding contrasts with research on other adolescent college students. Weekend naps were shorter in duration, on average, than weekday naps. This finding was also a departure from current nap research findings. Consistent with other research, most naps were between 30 minutes to 1 12 hours in length. Frequency and duration of naps was greatest on Wednesdays. The primary type of nap taken was restorative as opposed to appetitive or prophylactic in nature. Afternoon naps were more prevalent than morning naps, possibly reflecting Cadet class schedules rather than sleep need. Suggestions for additional research are proposed.