Acute effects of zolpidem on daytime alertness, psychomotor and physical performance.
In a double-blind cross-over study, seven athletes received zolpidem (10mg) or placebo in two sessions over two nights. Residual effects on subsequent daytime functions were evaluated objectively by measuring psychomotor and physical performance using a combined test of finger dexterity, a simple discriminatory reaction test, critical flicker fusion test (CFF), vertical jump, and 50-m sprint, as well as subjectively, by visual analog scales. Zolpidem shortened self-estimated sleep latency and increased total sleep at nighttime. There was no change in alertness and fatigue scales on the following day in the zolpidem session, but realm of daytime well-being was slightly worsened. The CFF test showed significantly better results in the zolpidem group than in the placebo group. Zolpidem did not have effects in athletic evaluation. Zolpidem has a hypnotic activity without disturbing psychomotor and physical performance on the following day when given to healthy adults, suggesting zolpidem may be used in healthy athletes to adjust their extrinsic sleep disturbances and their consecutive psychomotor and physical impairments.
Ito
Sachiko-Uemura
SU
Akita University, School of Health Sciences, Course of Physical Therapy 1-1-1 Hondo, Akita, Akita 0108543, Japan. uemura@hs.akita-u.ac.jp
Kanbayashi
Takashi
T
Takemura
Takaubu
T
Kondo
Hideaki
H
Inomata
Shoko
S
Szilagyi
Gyongyi
G
Shimizu
Tetsuo
T
Nishino
Seiji
S
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005425:Flicker Fusion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000077334:Zolpidem