Effects of 36 hours of sleep deprivation on military-related tasks: Can ammonium inhalants maintain performance?

Abstract

A lack of sleep can pose a risk during military operations due to the associated decreases in physical and cognitive performance. However, fast-acting ergogenic aids, such as ammonia inhalants (AI), may temporarily mitigate those adverse effects of total sleep deprivation (TSD).

Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the acute effect of AI on cognitive and physical performance throughout 36 hours of TSD in military personnel.

Keywords

• sleep deprivation
• sleep
• heart rate
• reaction time
• ammonium
• military personnel
• inhalation
• cognitive impairment