The effect of physical activity on sleep quality: a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction

Numerous studies have explored the interaction between physical activity (PA) and sleep quality illustrating the effect of physical exercise on sleep, yet previous researches have not investigated the relationship between physical exercise intensity and sleep quality.

Aim

This systematic review aims to examine the effect PA intensity on sleep quality in healthy populations.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review by searching latest 8 years publications. PubMed and Scopus were used to identify eligible studies with the searching terms, ‘sleep quality’ AND ‘physical activity’, within the timeframe between January 2010 and June 2018. All the included articles were systematically reviewed and analysed. The comparison of physical intensity and sleep quality was conducted based on the threshold of moderate PA and vigorous PA.

Results

Fourteen studies were included in the review. Analyses revealed that moderate PA seems to be more effective than vigorous activity in improving sleep quality. Furthermore, moderate physical exercise is beneficial to sleep quality in both young and old populations.

Conclusions

Moderate exercise showed more promising outcome on sleep quality than vigorous exercise. Future studies are suggested to elaborate detailed exercise suggestions by considering age groups in order to make accurate recommendations for health promotion.

Keywords:

• Sleep quality
• physical activity
• exercise
• health
• insomnia
• sleep hygiene

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.