RadioSport Tips | Sleep Deprivation
What happens when a RadioSport operator like myself turns 43-years old and plans to gut it out in the chair. What can I anticipate after 8 or more hours of consecutive contesting? Cognitively and physiologically, I'm devoting processing resources such as memory, visual, and auditory over a span of time while sitting in a confined space.
Sleep deprivation impairs high level, executive thinking and even one night of sleep deprivation diminishes cognitive processing in working memory and language according to Carpenter (2001). However one's cognitive resources default to supportive components as the brain adapts as suggested by researchers at the University of California, San Diego (Carpenter).
Stages of Sleep
Stage One happens when one begins to drift or becomes drowsy. This stage is referred to as theta activity. The characteristics of Stage Two sleep is rhythmic electrical bursts between 12 to 15 Hz often referred to as sleep spindles. Stage Three electrical activity ranges between 4 to 7 Hz called delta waves in addition to sleep spindles. The last stage of sleep is Stage Four and it is the deepest of all states and it is characterized by extensive delta wave patterns (Solso, 2001).
Brain Structure
What are the components of my contesting brain? Physiologically, my hindbrain consists of the following sub-components like the medulla, the pons, cerebellum, and reticular formation. Collectively, they regulate autonomic functions which are beyond my conscious awareness. Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration are basic factors to gutting out the operating chair and the medulla is responsible for my success in the chair. Furthermore, the pons oversee regulation of one's sleep-wake cycle. Taken together, the medulla and pons, are particularly sensitive to chemically induced change. Overall, my cerebellum has the heavy duty task of planning, coordinating, and ensuring the smooth functioning of complex motor activities such as keying, typing, and pressing buttons on my transceiver throughout a contest (Broderick & Blewitt, 2006).
The midbrain is comprised of several small components such as superior colliculi, inferior colliculi, and substantia nigra. As a whole, they handle the processing responsibility of vision, hearing, and consciousness. In addition, the midbrain is networked with the reticular activating system found in my hindbrain. KA3DRR's midbrain receives visual and auditory input from the environment (Broderick & Blewitt, 2006). For example, processing Morse code using headphones while simultaneously keying the computer and processing change in score.
Lastly, my forebrain and its most recognizable component is the cerebrum. My cerebrum is separated into two hemispheres; left and right. A fiber network called the corpus callosum transfers information between the hemispheres. Language and speech are typically found within the left hemisphere and visual-spatial skills in the right. It is worth mentioning that my frontal lobe is responsible for voluntary muscle movement, planning, goal setting, and decision making.
In addition, the limbic system comprised of the hippocampus, amygdala, spetum, the thalamus, and hypothalamus regulate emotions. The limbic system operates in unison with other parts of the brain which helps me to think and reason. My thalamus is the primary switchboard operator who directs sensory traffic such as visual, auditory, touch, and taste to appropriate destinations within my contesting brain. My hypothalamus regulates hunger, thirst, body temperature, and breathing rate as well (Broderick & Blewitt, 2006).
In Sum
As an aging, re-entry level RadioSport operator it is important for me to develop not only a successful contesting strategy but a winning cognitive and physiological strategy as well. I believe, understanding the functions of my contesting brain and the effect of sleep deprivation on my performance, is a good first step.
Physiologically, I'm not as resilient as a 25-year old or 35-year old anymore and investigating current research will help me develop a nutritional/physical program and operating/sleep schedule in order to maximize my cognitive resources while gutting out the operating chair. One might look at successful training programs of endurance athletes such as ultra-marathoners or mountain climbers for example.
According to Broderick and Blewitt (2006) the hindbrain, the midbrain, and the forebrain comprise KA3DRR's contesting brain. Supportive systems such as the medulla, the pons, reticular activation, thalamus, and hypothalamus play a crucial role in my operating success. Each influencing the other through the long stretch in the operating chair.
Furthermore, researchers at the University of California, San Diego continue investigating the effects of sleep deprivation and cognitive performance (Carpenter, 2001). Researcher results indicated poor performance on math and verbal tests after sleep deprivation according to Carpenter's article.
73 from the shack.
Reference:
Broderick, P. & Blewitt, P. (2006). The Life Span: Human Development for Helping Professionals [2nd ed.] Pearson Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
Carpenter, S. (2001, October). How does the brain catch up? [Electronic Version]. Monitor on Psychology, 32, Retrieved on September 1, 2007 from http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct01/braincatchup.html.
Solso, R. (2001). Cognitive Psychology [6 ed.] Pearson Education Company, Needham Heights, Ma.
