Background and Aim: Sleep deprivation has a negative impact on the body's physiological performance and psychological condition. It can affect the athletic performance, body hormones, and immune system, leading to harmful effects on the body systems. The present study investigated the effects of a sleepless night along with maximal exercise performance on the hormonal and immune responses.

Material and Methods: This semi experimental study was conducted in two separate stages (maximal exercise performance after sleep and sleepless stages). The blood sample was taken, the subjects' cortisol and IgA levels were measured using radioimmunoassay and turbidimetry. Dependent t-test and covariance were used to compare the two groups.

Results: Anaerobic exercises after sleep and sleepless stages led to a significant increase in the cortisol and IgA concentrations. These changes were higher in the sleepless stage.

Conclusion: Anaerobic exercise after sleepless night can affect physiological and immunological features of the body which can be due to insomnia induced stress and stress of maximum exercise.

Keyword: Sleep deprivation, Cortisol, Athlete, Immunoglobulin A.

Received: Aug 16, 2015      Accepted: Oct 12, 2015