Biological Sleep Patterns of Teenagers

Backgrounder prepared by William Speer for the UNLV Center for Mathematics and Science Education. April, 2005

We have known for some time that sleep patterns change throughout life – as a generalization, younger people tend to stay up later and rise later while often that pattern is reversed as people get older. In a similar vein, there is medical evidence from about the unique biological sleep patterns of teenagers. ((Bradley Hospital and Brown University in Providence, R.I. (Mary Carskadon) in 1994)). Medical studies have consistently shown that high-school age students need more sleep (nine+ hours) than almost every other age demographic – in fact, only infants need more sleep.

Congressman Lofgren (D-CA), introduced a resolution called “Zzzzzz”z to A’s” that was designed to give grants to secondary schools that agreed to change their start times to no earlier than 9am. This, and some other attempts, have encountered resistance from individuals groups that assume that their interests will be negatively affected. Lofgren’s didn’t pass but…maybe the time is right for Nevada – but some serious acknowledgment of the real issues from both sides of the argument are necessary in order to reach an agreement.

Objections tend to come from the “old-guard” (both school and parental) who attach a certain moral significance to how early in the morning one gets up. Some feel that getting up late is a sign of laziness (at worst) or lack of determination to adjust to a more “adult” behavior and acceptance of a dedication to adult responsibilities. But it’s not a matter of trying harder and working harder. In addition, the teenage circadian rhythm also dictates WHEN high school students can sleep. Teenagers, in general, get the most restful sleep between 11pm and 8am. Attempts to get to sleep sooner may be more anxiety producing then successful. (Studies of the National Sleep Foundation – D.C.-based organization of mainly physicians and headed by Chairman, James K. Walsh, PhD of St. John's/St. Luke's Hospitals, and St. Louis University)

The more serious arguments that revolve around such matters as school bus schedules, the scheduling of extra-curricular activities, student safety in both am and pm, and optimum times for study are more deserving of consideration. (Math, for example, tends to be more effectively studied (as measured by holding other variables constant and checking achievement) in the mid-morning hours than at any other time of the school day.) (Stanford University – Bill Dement)

Recent research information about the sleep needs of adolescents and the influence of sleep on learning and behavior was reported by the National Association of Secondary School Principles (2002). While it may be more correlation than cause, the findings deserve our attention. That is, we know these changes happen but we don’t really know that this directly causes behaviors. We also don’t know how much a person’s genetic predisposition or temperament could override brain function.

The Center for Applied Research and educational Improvement at the University of Minnesota (Kyla Wahlstrom) examined the impact of later start time on students, staff, families, and community members. They collected info about student study, work, sleep and school habits as well as preferences. Attendance data were retrievable for a five year period. Sleep deprivation can have negative influence on cognition, memory, alertness, time-on-tasks and optimum response. Students who do not experience sleep lag syndrome tend to have higher grades, less depression, fewer at-risk behaviors, and better attendance. Initially, parents, as a group, were concerned about changing early starts. After the first year, 92% of the parents indicated they preferred the later start times. LONGITUDINAL data is now being collected.

A major purpose of schools is to educate students by providing them with an opportunity to learn. Taking in new information later in the day is conducive to students actually learning the material.

Is there any way to counteract the sleep zone?

If you can get out walking in the early morning, even around the block, it can help reset the biological clock. You need light in the morning and dim light in the evening. Lots of activity early in the day. Eat supper early and don’t eat afterwards. Don’t take a hot shower or bath before bed – the body wants to be cool in order to sleep properly. Have it completely dark when you want to sleep. Resist stimulating activity such as going on chat rooms or playing computer games in the late evening.