Development of a sleep index for infants based on salivary hormone secretion

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26560414
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Childhood science (childhood environment science)
• Research Institution: Shiga University
• Principal Investigator: Ohira Masako 滋賀大学, 教育学部, 准教授 (40616190)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 睡眠 / 子ども / 心拍数 / 唾液 / コルチゾール / DHEA

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the present study, by analyzing salivary hormones in infants, we examined the effects of quality of sleep and health on post-awakening salivary hormone secretion. We also used a physical activity meter to examine the effects of daytime physical activity on the quality of sleep.
Our findings revealed that maintaining a sufficient amount of daytime physical activity may ease the awakening process the following day. Sufficient daily physical activity increases sleep efficiency and helps the body get a good rest during sleep. As a result, the pre-awakening activity of the sympathetic nerves increases, which improves the awakening process. This sequence of events leads to a well-rested feeling. Findings of this study support the common belief that exercising improves the quality of sleep.

Free Research Field

子ども学