Role of Napping for Learning Across the Lifespan
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SLEEP AND LEARNING (M SCULLIN, SECTION EDITOR)
Role of Napping for Learning Across the Lifespan Bethany J. Jones 1,2 & Rebecca M. C. Spencer 1,2,3 Accepted: 29 October 2020 # Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
Abstract Purpose of Review Napping is a common behavior across age groups. While studies have shown a benefit of overnight sleep on memory consolidation, given differences in nap frequency, composition, and intent, it is important to consider whether naps serve a memory function across development and aging. Recent Findings We review studies of the role of naps in declarative, emotional, and motor procedural memory consolidation across age groups. Recent findings in both developmental and aging populations find that naps benefit learning of many tasks but may require additional learning or sleep bouts compared to young adult populations. These studies have also identified variations in nap physiology based on the purpose of the nap, timing of the nap, or age. Summary These studies lend to our understanding of the function of sleep, and the potential for naps as an intervention for those with reduced nighttime sleep or learning impairments. Keywords Naps . Memory . Aging . Development . Sleep . Cognition
Introduction Naps are colloquially viewed as either a reflection of laziness or a vacation indulgence. Yet, we easily recognize naps as being essential to the healthy behavior of toddlers who are inattentive or emotionally dysregulated in the absence of a nap. Research over the past two decades suggests that this cognitive benefit of naps may be present in young adults and even older adults as well. As such, not only does this evidence suggest the need to shift cultural views of napping but also that naps might even be considered therapeutic for some purposes. A particular area of interest is the influence of naps on learning and memory. Here we review evidence for memory benefits of naps and how these change across the lifespan for different types of memories.
This article is part of the Topical Collection on Sleep and Learning * Rebecca M. C. Spencer [email protected] 1
Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
2
Neuroscience & Behavior Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
3
Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts, 240 Thatcher Way, S315, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
Nap Frequency and Physiology Across the Lifespan Young infants are polyphasic, often napping four or more times per day to balance high sleep need and frequent feeding. Sleep becomes triphasic between 6 and 9 months and biphasic by between 12 and 18 months [1]. The adult-like monophasic sleep pattern becomes normative by 5 years [2, 3]. Nap frequency increases again in later ages, with 15% of 65–74 year olds and 25% of 75–85 year olds napping regularly (4–7 naps per week) [4]. Though nap frequency is generally low in young adulthood and middle age, many adults will nap if/ when their schedule permits, particularly if they are not me
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