4.6 Review

Physical activity and sleep: An updated umbrella review of the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee report

Journal

SLEEP MEDICINE REVIEWS
Volume 58, Issue -, Pages -

Publisher

W B SAUNDERS CO LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101489

Keywords

Exercise; Insomnia; Obstructive sleep apnea; Physical activity; Sedentary behavior; Sleep

Funding

  1. US Department of Health and Human Services
  2. National Institutes of Health [K23HL118318]

Ask authors/readers for more resources

The research found that acute and regular physical activity can improve sleep quality, especially for adults, individuals with insomnia symptoms, or obstructive sleep apnea patients. Future studies should focus on the effects of physical activity on sleep in different populations and related moderating factors.
Physical activity (PA) is widely considered to improve sleep, but a comprehensive review of the research on this topic has not been performed. In this umbrella review, conducted initially for the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee and updated to reflect more recent research, we examined whether PA enhances sleep outcomes across the lifespan as well as among individuals with sleep disorders. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses were utilized to assess the evidence. We also examined dose-response considerations and whether the association between PA and sleep was moderated by various factors (e.g., timing, sociodemographic characteristics). We found strong evidence that both acute bouts of PA and regular PA improved sleep outcomes. Moderate evidence indicated that longer bouts of PA (both acute and regular) improved sleep, and that the effects of PA on sleep outcomes were generally preserved across adult age groups and sex. Finally, moderate evidence demonstrated that PA improved sleep in adults with insomnia symptoms or obstructive sleep apnea. Several important areas in need of future research were also identified. Overall, the review supported the claim that PA improves sleep, but highlighted gaps that need to be addressed to facilitate more widespread utilization of PA for improving sleep. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Authors

I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.

Reviews

Primary Rating

4.6
Not enough ratings

Secondary Ratings

Novelty
-
Significance
-
Scientific rigor
-
Rate this paper

Recommended

No Data Available
No Data Available