Longer exercise duration improves sleep quality

Young adults who exercise frequently may have decreased sleep duration, while those who exercise for longer periods may have improved sleep quality, according to data presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions.

Researchers evaluated self-reported data from the 22^nd wave of the Nicotine Dependence in Teens study, from 658 participants (mean age 24 years) to assess the link between sleep quality and duration with different levels of physical activity and various sedentary activities. The researchers measured the following activity levels: the number of minutes of light, moderate and vigorous physical activity, as well as the number of days of physical activity within the previous week.

Sleep duration decreased by approximately 3 minutes per night for every additional day of light or vigorous exercise (P < .05). However, overall sleep quality improved with every 10 minutes of moderate exercise (beta = 0.004, P = .04).

The data for sedentary behaviors showed overall declines in sleep quality and duration. When measured on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), participants who watched TV had worse scores (beta = 0.01, P < .05), and each extra hour of reading was linked with 2 minutes less sleep per night (P = .04). Both poor sleep quality (beta = – 0.02, P = .05) and poor PSQI scores (beta = 0.02, P = .005) were associated with computer use.

“Clinicians who treat sleep problems in young adults may need to take physical activity and sedentary behavior into account in treatment plans,” Lisa Kakinami, PhD, assistant professor, department of mathematics and statistics at Concordia University, Quebec, Canada, and colleagues wrote. – by Casey Hower

For more information:

Kakinami L, et al. Abstract P071. Presented at: American Heart Association Epidemiology and Prevention/Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions; March 3-6, 2015; Baltimore.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.