Guinness World Record Attempt: Longest Club DJ Session – Part 2

After a poor night's sleep, it can be quite difficult to function properly the next day but how would you feel if you went four nights in a row without sleeping? DJ Promo is planning to do just that when he tries to set a new world record for the longest club DJ session. From Monday June 12 at 9am he'll be awake day and night until 2pm the following Friday; a mammoth 100 hours of continuous mixing.

Even though we spend almost a third of our lives asleep, scientists do not know why we need to, or exactly what happens to us when we do. Our bodies need rest, but not necessarily sleep, to physically recuperate from the day's activities; for cellular growth and repair, and for the restoration of energy levels and the immune system. Sleep occurs in 90 minute cycles of five different stages. In the first stages, the brain's activity slows down and repair work such as the regeneration of neurones occurs. The final stage, REM sleep, is when the brain becomes active and is when most dreaming occurs. It is thought that during REM sleep, the brain actively processes new information and forms memories

Sleep deprivation has physical effects such as blurred vision and impaired coordination yet the most detrimental effects are on the brain's ability to function and it affects mood and cognitive processes. Sleep deprived people become irritable, forgetful and find it hard to concentrate. Their ability to think imaginatively, make quick decisions or focus on multiple tasks is impaired and everyday tasks require additional effort to complete and mistakes are more likely. Language is one of the first brain functions to be affected and sleep deprived people have trouble remembering words and their speech is slurred, slower and less animated.

In the previous article we talked to DJ Promo about the motivation behind his plan to tackle the Guinness World Record for the longest club DJ session and the amount of organisation needed to put on the event. Equally important is his physical and mental preparation. Humans generally can't train themselves to need less sleep but DJ Promo is one of those rare people who can live on very little sleep. In the weeks leading up to the world record attempt, DJ Promo's work and world record preparations have left him time for only a few hours sleep a night and he says it's not unusual for him to go two nights without sleep and still be able to function well. To ensure success, DJ Promo has given up cigarettes, alcohol and caffeine in favour of a healthy lifestyle focussing on diet and exercise. Under the careful guidance of a personal trainer and nutritionist, he's aiming to be in top physical condition by June 12. In the gym he's working on cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength and stamina while at home he's following a strict diet designed to increase his energy levels and help his body recover from exertion.

Most people can go only one night without sleep but DJ Promo says the first two nights will be fine for him. By the third night, the effects of sleep deprivation will be kicking in and he's expecting to have trouble with speech and to get a little grumpy. By the fourth night he will have broken the world record and expects that adrenaline will get him through to the end of the 100 hours. People who stay awake longer than this frequently experience confusion, hallucinations or delusions. DJ Promo will be kept busy during the world record attempt, he needs to mix in a new track every five minutes and has a number of strategies planned to combat the inevitable feelings of tiredness. One is to have a lot going on around him and, as well as the dancing audience, there will be additional entertainment from musicians and jugglers. A chef will be preparing energy foods especially for him and dietary supplements will counter the effects of lactic acid in his muscles. Because DJ Promo is following the anti-doping guidelines for elite athletes and has insisted on being drug tested, the strongest stimulant he is allowed to take is caffeine. Having sworn off caffeine many months ago, DJ Promo has no tolerance to its effects and plans to not take any during the first two days and use it sparingly thereafter so that when he does take it, it has a maximum effect. During the 15 minute breaks he is required to take every eight hours there won’t be time for sleep, instead he will change clothes, grab something to eat and massage and stretch any sore muscles.

At the conclusion of the 100 hours, DJ Promo won't be going to sleep straight away. He's expecting that he'll be too excited to sleep and has planned victory parties to thank organisers and supporters. After that, he will have a nice long sleep, and a well deserved one too.

DJ Promo's attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest club DJ session will be held at Federation Square in Melbourne and begins at 9am on Monday June 12 with the existing world record broken at 9pm Thursday and then the 100 hour mark reached at 1pm Friday.

Previous article: Part 1 of the interview with DJ Promo.

Next article: On the spot updates from Federation Square June 12-16.

 

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