Diurnal rhythm of axillary temperature in long and short sleepers: effects of sleep deprivation and sleep displacement.

Six habitual long (greater than or equal to 9 hr) sleepers (LS) and 6 habitual short (less than or equal to 6.5 hr) sleepers (SS) measured their diurnal axillary temperature (T) every 4 hr from awakening time to bedtime. For the control span of 10 days, temperature peak time was similar in both groups but occurred later in SS than in LS when measured from midsleep. Bedtime was closer to temperature peak time in LS than in SS. While experiencing the same sleep deprivations (SD 24 hr with morning sleep recovery and SD 36 hr with nocturnal sleep recovery). SS maintained a more stable body temperature curve than LS. After the nights of sleep deprivation, morning temperature increased in LS but not in SS. In both experimental conditions LS tended to advance their temperature peaks. This shift resulted in a statistically significant difference between the groups' T peaks for the 36-hour sleep deprivation. These results suggest that coupling between sleep/activity rhythm and temperature rhythm probably is different in LS and in SS, being stronger in LS.