According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 50 to 70 million American adults experience chronic sleep loss or some type of sleep disorder. Although the National Sleep Foundation recommends that adults get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night, one third of Americans get less than seven hours of sleep per night. Not getting enough sleep can lead to impaired cognitive ability, decreased motor function, emotional distress and accidents. However, results from a new study conducted at Oregon State University show that exercise significantly helps people sleep longer and more soundly.
The study included a representative sample of over 2,600 men and women (ages 18-85) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2005 and 2006. Participants underwent an examination where their BMI was measured and they answered questions about their general health, sleep and exercise habits. They also wore an accelerometer for seven days to measure activity. The study authors found that 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a week, which is the amount recommended by national guidelines, resulted in a 65 percent improvement in sleep quality. Results showed that people achieving recommended amounts of physical activity were able to fall asleep more quickly, sleep through the night, and felt less sleepy during the day, as compared to those who did not exercise enough or at all.
Loprinzi and Cardinal. (2011). Association between objectively-measured physical activity and sleep, NHANES 2005-2006. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 4 (2), 65-69.
