Role of physical activity and fitness on sleep in sedentary middle-aged adults: the FIT-AGEING study

Abstract

The association of physical activity and fitness with sleep still remains unclear since there is a lack of studies in this field of research using objective measurements of these variables. This study aimed to investigate the association of objectively-measured sedentariness, physical activity levels, and physical fitness with sleep quantity and quality in sedentary middle-aged adults. A total of 74 volunteers (52.7% women; aged 53.7 ± 5.1) were recruited for the present study. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured through a maximal treadmill test, and muscular strength by extension and flexion peak torque, and by the hand grip test. Physical activity and objective sleep parameters were determined through accelerometry, and subjective sleep by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Reduced levels of sedentariness, greater VO2max, and greater muscular strength were positively related to improved objective sleep quantity and quality (all P ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, higher levels of overall physical activity, VO2max, and muscular strength were related to better subjective sleep quantity and quality (all P ≤ 0.05). Reduced sedentariness and increased physical activity and fitness may be a potential prevention and/or treatment pathway to reduce sleep disturbances and, in general, to improve patients physical and psychological health for a successful aging process.

Poor Sleep Quality and Daytime Sleepiness in Health Professionals: Prevalence and Associated Factors

“…Conversely, inadequate amounts of exercise and insufficient sleep may be harmful [2,28]. The present findings emphasize the need to encourage physical activity among health workers to help prevent and treat sleep disorders [29].…”

Gender Gaps in Time Use by Age Groups in Ten Industrialized Countries, 2005-2015

“…We make three key contributions to the international cross-national time use and gender The findings of our study suggest that policy and cultural contexts can critically shape the opportunities that men and women encounter to engage in different activities with key well-being and health implications. We found some relevant cross-national differences in time use in activities such as sleeping and personal care, which are known to be associated with physical health and mental well-being [22][23][24][25][26][27][28],…”

“…Third, unlike previous studies, we not only study paid work, housework, care work and leisure in general, but also focus on other key markers of men's and women's health and well-being over their life course: sleeping, personal care, eating and studying. Previous research has found that lacking enough sleeping time is associated with poorer health outcomes and mental well-being (22)(23)(24)(25)(26). Studies also found that time spent in physical and active leisure helps to prevent pathologies and mental health problems, while more sedentary leisure -particularly high levels of screen-based leisure-has been found to be associated with physical and mental health problems, especially among the younger cohorts (24,27,28).…”

“…Previous research has found that lacking enough sleeping time is associated with poorer health outcomes and mental well-being (22)(23)(24)(25)(26). Studies also found that time spent in physical and active leisure helps to prevent pathologies and mental health problems, while more sedentary leisure -particularly high levels of screen-based leisure-has been found to be associated with physical and mental health problems, especially among the younger cohorts (24,27,28). Overall, our study adds to the scarce literature on gender gaps in time use across age groups by adding a cross-national approach on multiple activities with different well-being implications.…”

Risk and resiliency factors associated with poor sleep quality in elderly populations

“…In a study with 74 volunteers (52.7% women; aged 53.7 ± 5.1), higher levels of overall physical activity, and muscular strength were related to better subjective sleep quantity and quality. 26 Weight loss has been reported to reduce the progression of SDB, contributing to improved sleep quality. 27 The value of daily exercise and exposure to daylight as reports Neubauer 25 "can help reinforce the circadian cycle" (p. 2555).…”