The Relationship Between Sport Participation and Sleep Quality of Aged Population

Abstract

Epidemiological studies have shown a close correlation between exercises and sleep quality which affects the quality of life especially in elderly people. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between sport participation and sleep quality of aged male and female populations. 384 elderly persons aged 60 years were selected by simple random sampling method in recreational parks of Tehran City. The correlation was measured between Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and quality of sleep. The physical activity level of participants was measured using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out independent t test and using Pearson correlation at the significance level of p<0.05. The findings suggested that there was a significant relationship between sport participation with subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances and daytime dysfunction (p<0.05), while no significant relationship was found between sport participation with sleep latency and use of sleeping medication (P>0.05). The aged populations are highly recommended to do sport participation with the aim of improving quality of sleep. As shown, the higher levels of physical activity, the more quality of sleep occurs.