title: [Physical performance and sedation: comparative study of the effects of a benzodiazepine (temazepam) and of a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic (zolpidem)].
abstract: It is well-known that many athletes experience some form of precompetition stress that may result in insomnia during the night before their competition. Yet, sleep withdrawal even if only partial, has a negative influence on performance, particularly when the type of exercise requires good psychomotor performance The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the intake of a hypnotic drug would have negative effects on physical performance capacity. The authors have compared the effects of oral temazepam, a medium half-life benzodiazepine vs oral zolpidem, a short half-life non-benzodiazepine drug, vs placebo. A randomized double-blind trial was used to assess endurance, resistance, strength and coordination in 26 athletes. The results did not show any differences between the three groups, neither in physical performance characteristic nor in coordination. It is concluded that as regards the performance capacity, there is no risk for stressed athletes to use sleep inducers the night before their competition.
authors.affiliation: Division de Médecine Physique et Rééducation, Hôpital cantonal universitaire, Genève.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gremion
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sutter-Weyrich
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rostan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000187:drug effects; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D013693:Temazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000077334:Zolpidem
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011725:Pyridines; D000077334:Zolpidem; D013693:Temazepam
vernacular_title: Performance physique et sédation: étude comparative des effets d'une benzodiazépine (temazepam) et d'un hypnotique non-benzodiazépinique (zolpidem).