Effects of two different types of resistance exercise on sleep quality and nocturnal physiological responses in young males

[Purpose] We compared the effects of different types of resistance exercise (maximum muscle strength training (MST) and muscle hypertrophy training (HYP)) on sleep quality and nocturnal physiological responses.[Methods] Eleven males (22.5 ± 1.7 years) completed 3 trials on different days, consisting of 6 exercises of 4 sets at 85–90% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) (3-min inter-set rest periods) for MST, the same exercises of 3 sets at 70–80% of 1RM (1-min inter-set rest periods) for HYP, and control condition (CON, 60 min of rest). Sleep quality was evaluated via electroencephalography. Heart rate (HR), HR variability (HRV), and skin temperature were measured during sleep.[Results] MST significantly reduced time of rapid eye movement (REM) compared to CON (<i>P</i> < 0.05). However, relative time of REM sleep for entire sleep, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, and absolute and relative time of non-REM sleep did not differ significantly among conditions. Proximal skin temperature during sleep first 90 min was significantly higher in both MST and HYP than in CON (<i>P</i> < 0.05), with no significant differences between MST and HYP. However, the gradient between distal and proximal temperature, HR, and HRV during sleep did not differ among conditions.[Conclusion] These findings imply that sleep architecture is not markedly altered following a single session of resistance exercise, regardless of regimen type.