Biology. Adolescent Sleep Pattern

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Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Result
Discussion
Conclusion
References

Abstract

Sleep is a very important biological function that needs to be understood by a critical understanding of the pattern of human sleep. It varies from individual to individual and is affected by a variety of factors that determines the length and the depth of the sleep. The habit of sleep is very individual specific therefore a study of the pattern of sleep of a group needs to be evaluated to get an understating of the pattern of sleep. This is important as sleep determines the level of performance of the individual.

Introduction

Human sleep is a very important biological phenomenon, which is necessary for the optimum functioning of a human being. Adolescent sleep is subject to so many external stimuli, that it is necessary to record the impact different stimulus has on sleep pattern. Getting a good amount of rest through sleep is necessary for adolescent growth, functioning, and optimum use of energy.

Even though everyone goes through the same physiology of sleep, however, there are some individual variations as to the length and depth of each stage, and the number of hours of sleep needed in 24 hours cycle, and how a person uses the benefits of sleep. Only through reviewing the sleep patterns and habits can an individual determine where he/she fits. These patterns are dependant on age and individual.

During a normal night of sleep, human beings alternate repeatedly between two distinct types of sleep: rapid eye movement(REM) and nonREM. Both types of sleep have different and independent effects on the overall quality of sleep, which is determined by levels of subsequent daytime sleepiness and performance. NonREM sleep is of four types and they define the depth of consciousness as presented in the figure below. The deeper the sleep and the length of time in deep sleep, the more the body and the mind are getting rest. These fur stages occur within a series of cycles over the period of sleep, occurring about every 90-100 minutes. REM sleep is another event in each cycle. REM sleep often occurs after sleep has begun its first cycle and then as the person returns to the first stage of sleep and just before going back into the next cycle.

Materials and Methods

The source of research is based on the examination of sleep patterns of 10 to 15 adolescents, with the recoding of the range of sleep cycles recorded on average and extreme cases. This has also been recorded with a ten-day recording of the change in sleep pattern upon consumption of caffeine, which is a very common stimulus for adolescents. Sleep is a very important part of adolescent life, and analyzing the sleep pattern and understanding the sleep pattern can give clues to better management of time, sleep, and productivity.

This involves the careful recording of bedtime, wake time, number of awakenings at night, number of consumed caffeinated drinks, and the amount of exercise performed on the day. The continuous recording of the sleep pattern would give an estimation of sleep patterns among the adolescents in the time frame monitored.

Result

The result obtained provides a pattern in which the present age adolescent functions and how their lifestyle, eating, exercise, and sleep time impact their periods of alertness and sleepiness scale. This would in turn impact the performance level of the adolescent. the correlation between sleep time and wake time would provide an insight into their function and performance.

Most of the subjects were adolescents studying in college and their average bedtime ranges from 10:25 pm till 2:25 am and their average sleep duration ranges anytime from 6 hours to 11 hours. Their frequency of awakening in between their sleep is also taken into account. The record states that their average awakening in the night range anywhere from 1 to 5 in the respective cases. Though consideration was made o record the impact of caffeine intake on sleep, no specific pattern is presented which can be declared conclusive. The average wake-up time recorded indicates that most students wake up between 7:00 am and 9:50 am.

Discussion

Restful sleep is a necessity for every adolescent, as they need to use their maximum energy for study and their optimum performance in any field. They choose to perform. Even though one spends over one their of lives in some stage of sleep, there is little known about why we sleep and how one can better control the sleep pattern to optimize productivity. This essential function of the body prepares the body for the next day’s performance and action. Sleep revitalizes and prepares the body for the next day’s function. Sleep habits, patterns, and their correlation with lifestyle is an elusive subject. A basic understanding of the sleep process is important, as students in the present age deal with the variations in their work and study and rest requirements.

There is no magic that provides a clue into the dynamics of sleep; there are no magic diets, medications, or techniques which can ensure restful sleep. It is only through the awareness of physiology that one can understand the pattern of sleep and determine how sleep is influenced by our activities and what we can control to achieve sleep that can ensure enhanced performance and productivity as a student.

Conclusion

It is very important to undertake the systematic examination of the pattern of sleep, so that as an adolescent when you need to optimize your productivity, you can learn and identify the measures to improve your chances of getting restful and productive sleep. It is apparent that it is necessary to maintain a specific schedule and good exercise routine to have normal and natural control over or sleep. Sleep is a vital requirement just like food and water. Sleep is one of the vital signals which the brain transmits to the individual functioning, which fulfills three vital functions: hunger, thirst, and sleep. Thus understanding the pattern of sleepiness and wakefulness in light of the everyday performance of the human entity is necessary.

References

National Aeronautic and Space Admininstration, Sleep , Jet lag and fatigue.

Mary A. Carskadon , Adolescent Sleep Patterns: Biological, Social, and Psychological Influences. Cambridge University Press, 2002. 297 pgs.

Sleep StagesOverview, Waking, Non-REM, REM, Sleep Cycle, Factors, Age 1998-2008. Web.

P. Achermann, “Combining Different Models Of Sleep Regulation”, Journal of Sleep Research, 1991, pp. 144-147, 1.

S. Folkard , “A Three Process Model Of The Regulation Of Alertness And Sleepiness”, Sleep, Arousal and Performance Problems and Promises, 1991, 11, 26.

T. Monk, “Circadian Aspects Of Subjective Sleepiness: A Behavioral Messenger?” Sleep, Sleepiness and Performance, 1991, pp. 39-63.

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