Temporal Associations between Actigraphy-Measured Daytime Movement Behaviors and Nap Sleep in Early Childhood

Abstract

The purpose of this micro-longitudinal study was to explore daily associations between daytime movement behaviors (sedentary time and physical activity) and nap sleep in young children. In 298 children (age = 51.0 ± 9.6 months, 43.6% female), wrist-based actigraphy (mean wear time = 10 days) assessed sedentary time, total physical activity, and provided an estimate of nap sleep duration and efficiency. Multilevel logistic and linear regression models were used to examine temporal within-person relations between wake behaviors and nap sleep, and adjusted for overnight sleep duration between days of interest, age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Movement behaviors were not related to the likelihood of next-day napping, but when children were less sedentary (OR = 0.96; p < 0.001) or more active (OR = 1.01; p = 0.001) in the morning, they were more likely to nap that same day. Movement behaviors were not associated with nap sleep duration or efficiency. Conversely, on days children napped, they were less sedentary (B = −2.09, p < 0.001) and more active (B = 25.8, p < 0.001) the following day. Though napping and movement behaviors had some reciprocal relations, effect sizes in the present study were small. Further studies should examine children with more diverse sleep health and from different childcare settings.

The restoration ability of a short nap after sleep deprivation on the brain cognitive function: A dynamic functional connectivity analysis

“…All participants made three visits to the laboratory. During the first visit, they were briefed about the experimental protocol and provided with a wristwatch (Mini‐Mitter Actiwatch; Philips Respironics) to record their sleep patterns 18 . All participants signed the informed consent form.…”

“…During the first visit, they were briefed about the experimental protocol and provided with a wristwatch (Mini‐Mitter Actiwatch; Philips Respironics) to record their sleep patterns. 18 All participants signed the informed consent form. At the second visit, participants experienced 30 h of SD followed by a 30 min‐opportunity short nap.…”