Association Between Sleep Quality and Physical Activity in Saudi Arabian University Students

Abstract

Background

Many studies have documented a strong association between poor sleep quality and physical inactivity. This study evaluates the association between poor sleep quality and physical inactivity among Jazan University students in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

An observational cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at Jazan University. Cluster random sampling was used to select 440 students. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS) were utilized for data collection.

Results

According to the PSQI results, the majority of respondents (63.9%; n = 281) reported having poor sleep quality. The majority of students (62.7%; n = 276) were also physically inactive. Based on DASS-21 criteria, the majority of students (53.4%) were stressed. Sleep quality differed significantly according to participants’ physical activity status (p = 0.0090). Among physically active participants, 43.9% reported having good sleep quality. Sleep duration, daytime dysfunctions, and global PSQI differed significantly according to levels of physical activity (p < 0.05 for all). Univariate analysis revealed that being physically active was significantly associated with good sleep quality (OR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.14–2.54, p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression models also demonstrated a significant association between physical activity and good sleep quality (OR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.15–2.56, p = 0.008).

Conclusion

The majority of Jazan University students had poor sleep quality and were physically inactive. Evidence-based prevention and therapeutic strategies are needed to promote physical activity among university students.

Keywords:

• sleep quality
• PSQI
• physical inactivity
• Jazan

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the students of Jazan University who sacrificed their valuable time by taking part in the survey. The authors also acknowledge, with much appreciation, the input and participation of Yousef Ali Abdali, Abdullah Ahmed Al Faqih, and Abdullaziz Khalid Almalki, who contributed greatly to our data collection.

Author Contributions

The authors contributed equally to the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.