1. SLEEP DEPRIVATION Research STUDY
Rowan University
Consumer Health Decisions –Fall 2013
Mike Bortnowski
Jeff Attenbrunn
Rachel Anzano
Brad Pastrick

2. “The worst thing to do in this world is to try and sleep and not to
“The worst thing to do in this world is to try and sleep and not to.”-F. Scott Fitzgerald

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Research question
How does sleep deprivation affect the lives of college students?

10. 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?

11. 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

12. Demographics Male/Female Age Residence-On/Off Campus Academic Major
Distance from Rowan University
Student athletes vs. Non Athletes
Semester credits
Greek Life
Classification

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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 hours
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

16. 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

17. 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

18. Final thoughts and improvements
Increase sample size- 500
Compare college students to other groups of people (ie. Adults)
Survey more students above the undergraduate level- Graduate/Professional Studies
More emphasis on outside factors such as employment responsibilities and extracurricular activities.

19. Resources:
Alic, M. (2011). Sleep Deprivation. In L. J. The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Retrieved from an_mcbl&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=
Clavenger, M., T. (2013). Sleep Deprivation Among College Students. Retrieved from arch/Symposium/Final%20Draft% pdf#page=92
Drayton, W., Gullatt, C., & Johnson, L. M. (2006). Sleep deprivation among college students. Paper presented at the Retrieved from
Duval, S.  (2010).  Sleep deprived college students: asleep at the wheel. Center for Advancing Health. Retrieved from
the-wheel#.Ul9zQsXD_rf

20. continued:
Drowsy Driving. 12 Oct <
Healthy People (2013). Sleep health. Retrieved from
National Sleep Foundation (2010).  Sleep, athletic performance, and recovery. NSF for Healthcare Professionals. Retrieved from
Singleton, A. R., & Wolfson, R.A. (2009). Alcohol consumption, sleep, and academic performance among college students. Retrieved from 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), Retrieved from -live
University Health Center Sleep. (n.d.)   (2013). University Health Center at the University of Georgia,