Researchers in Boston tested 11 male and 22 female college students. The students performed three tasks that required memorization. Sixteen of the students took a 45-minute nap. The others just rested for 10 minutes then watched TV for 35 minutes. When they were tested again, researchers found those who napped performed better on all three tasks.
However, naps did not enhance the memory of the students who had performed poorly on the initial test.
The results of the study are reported in the journal Sleep.
