Examining Sleep Apnea in College Athletes

Examining Sleep Apnea in College Athletes Posted on: 2008-03-29 | by Sleep Center New research examines obstructive sleep apnea in college athletes The Sleep Centers of Middle Tennessee has partnered with Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) to conduct an

exciting new research project examining post-nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment improvements in

physical and cognitive functioning in college athletes with obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a breathing-

related sleep disorder, characterized by repeated stoppages in breathing or significant reductions in breathing during sleep.

The two most commonly seen signs of obstructive sleep apnea are loud snoring and daytime sleepiness/fatigue. Certain

athletes have physical characteristics that make them more susceptible to having OSA, and research has documented

higher incidences of obstructive sleep apnea in professional football players. Consequences of untreated obstructive sleep

apnea are many, including various deficits in physical performance and cognitive (e.g., learning, attention, memory)

performance. One of the most effective treatments for obstructive sleep apnea is nasal CPAP. Research has shown that

treatment with nasal CPAP results in significant improvements in physical and cognitive performance. Given the

established evidence that treatment of obstructive sleep apnea with nasal CPAP improves physical and cognitive

functioning, it is reasonable to expect that college football players with obstructive sleep apnea would experience significant

improvements in their level of functioning on the football field and in the classroom if their obstructive sleep apnea is

effectively treated with nasal CPAP. This research study is a collaborative effort between MTSU (Dr. Gloria Hamilton,

Department of Psychology) and the Sleep Centers of Middle Tennessee (Dr. William Noah & Dr. Brian Wind). We look

forward to sharing the exciting results of this unique research study.

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