ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY AND HUMAN SLEEP DISORDERS

Background: It is generally believed that exercise exerts a beneficial effect on the quality of sleep. However, most studies regarding exerc ise and, sleep have been concerned with the influence of exercise on s leep architecture and efficiency, and not on its effects in the preven tion and treatment of sleep disorders. Moreover, epidemiological evide nce of the benefits of exercise on sleep are limited. Objective: To in vestigate the influence of moderate exercise or physical activity on s elf-reported sleep disorders among a randomly selected population of a dults. Subjects and Methods: Study subjects were participants in the T ucson Epidemiological Study of Obstructive Airways Disease who in the 12th survey completed health questionnaires that included several ques tions on physical exercise and sleep disorders. Sleep disorders were c lassified as disorders in maintaining sleep, excessive daily sleepines s, nightmares, and any sleep disorder. Six questions regarding exercis e and physical activity were asked. Analyses were performed using mult ivariate logistic regression models with selected measures of sleep di sorders as dependent variables and measures of exercise and physical a ctivity as the independent or predictor variables. Results: There were 319 men and 403 women included in the analyses. The results showed th at more women than men reported participating in a regular exercise pr ogram and having sleep symptoms of disorders in maintaining sleep and nightmares and that more men than women did regular vigorous activity and walking at a brisk pact for more than 6 blocks per day. Both men a nd women had significantly reduced risk of disorders in maintaining sl eep associated with regular activity at least once a week, participati ng regularly in an exercise program, and walking at a normal pace for more than 6 blocks per day. Reduced risk of any sleep disorder mas ass ociated with regular activity at least once a week, and for men, walki ng at a brisk pace for more than 6 blocks. Among women increases in ag e also reduced the risk of nightmares. Conclusions: These data provide additional evidence that a program of regular exercise may be a usefu l therapeutic modality in the treatment of patients with sleep disorde rs.