NAC E (Dallas) Times Posted

[hello?]

Advanced Sleep Phase syndrome of Aging
http://www.neugenes.org/circadian.htm
Advanced Sleep Phase of Aging is a profound problem for the elderly population. In fact, one third of the population over 65 years of age experience a change in their sleep cycle when they fall asleep at earlier and earlier times and then wake up early in the morning. The cause of this condition is not known but it appears in association with the normal aging process.We hypothesize that age-related changes in gene expression (rather than gene mutations) are one possible cause of the shortened sleep time for the elderly.

http://www.neugenes.org/circadian.htm
Sometime in late puberty, the body secretes the sleep-related hormone melatonin at a different time than it normally does. This changes the circadian rhythms that guide a person's sleep-wake cycle. For instance, if you told your teen to go to bed at 10 p.m., she may end up staring at the ceiling until 1 or 2 a.m. waiting to fall asleep. At about 7:30 p.m. a teen feels wide awake and fully alert, unlike an adult who is starting to "wind down" and feel sleepier as the evening progresses so that at 10 p.m. the adult is ready to go to bed. The teen-agers "wind down" time takes place much later.

I think that saying that a study about "the elderly" might have anything to do with most Vet fencers is quite silly : ) First: this study refers to people over 65 (most Vets are not, even though some are). Second: this study might not count many fencers (or athletes) in its population.

I, for one, never go to bed before 12:30, even at home (let alone at a NAC). And, if it seems that I am starting to fall asleep around 10, I am indeed in trouble since I am most probably still FENCING at that time.

The ONLY time I am ever anywhere at 8 a.m. is for one of my fencing lessons -- only because that's the only time my coach could fit me in. I am not even up for work at that time!!!

[teacup]

I think that saying that a study about "the elderly" ...

Not all babies/children wake up early, not all teenagers sleep late, not all "mature" adults wake up early, however there are certain physiological norms, and there are always exceptions.

I also realize that most veteran fencers are not over 65, my point was that veteran/adult fencers are probably better able to deal with early check ins compared to adolescents.

The best athletic performance for "mature" adult fencers may be to have early close of check in and let them nap in between pools and DEs.

http://www.sleepdex.org/patterns.htm
"Along with genetics and circadian rhythms, one important factor that helps determine the amount of sleep a person needs nightly is stage of life."

"Contrary to the popular belief, the need for sleep does not decline with old age. While the elderly do find that their slumber becomes more fitful, they continue to need about the same amount of sleep that they needed in early adulthood. For this reason, older people tend to nap often during the day. Experts say that the number of nocturnal awakenings can start to increase as early as the age of 40."

[Inquartata]

What's with the napping thing, anyway?

I've not been able to do it since I was a little kid ( and as I recall when I did it then I always awoke feeling wretched ).

Not actually sure I know anyone my age who does that, now that I think about it...

[Greybeard]

I nap and have slept for 3-4 hours at a time. But that is just to make the day pass because of my condition and there is nothing to do when you are a prisoner at home.

[hello?]

What's with the napping thing, anyway?

I've not been able to do it since I was a little kid ( and as I recall when I did it then I always awoke feeling wretched ).

Not actually sure I know anyone my age who does that, now that I think about it...

Totally agree.

Perhaps teenagers might be able to 'nap' when they come in from school, before they start their homework. (Even though, I have also never been able to 'nap,' even as a kid.)

[Greybeard]

napping between pools and DE's can work

[hello?]

napping between pools and DE's can work

I will try that! (Unfortunately, my results seem to point to my napping DURING bouts and DEs.)

[magriffin]

What's with the napping thing, anyway?

I've not been able to do it since I was a little kid ( and as I recall when I did it then I always awoke feeling wretched ).

Not actually sure I know anyone my age who does that, now that I think about it...

I'm the same age as Greybeard and I take naps on weekends whenever I can. Maybe it's a mom thing though since my mom always took naps and still does at 83.

[Greybeard]

Just make sure you nap where someone can wake you up so you don't miss your call.

[magriffin]

I'll be done fencing on Friday before naptime....I hate those early starts. Saturday I'll be able to sleep in a bit and nap after I'm done. Sunday and Monday, I don't start until 1:00 so I can sleep late both those days. But after 4 days of fencing I'm sure I'll be pretty well worn out.

[Greybeard]

Actually, I usually nap through my bouts. (that explains the funny noise from his mask)

[rjbrash]

I've heard there is no air outside before 10 am.