Poor sleep quality and physical performance in older adults

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association between sleep quality and physical performance among a group of UK community-dwelling older adults, according to sex. Methods: Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Physical performance was assessed using a short physical performance battery (SPPB), a timed up-and-go, and a hand-grip strength test. Results: Of 591 eligible study members, 401 completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. In regression analyses, men who reported poor sleep quality were significantly more likely to have a poor SPPB score, even after adjustment for confounding factors (OR = 2.54, 95% CI 1.10-5.89, P=.03). The direction of the relationship was reversed among women, where those who reported poor sleep were less likely to have a low SPPB score (OR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.15-0.85, P = .02). Poor sleep quality was associated with poorer hand-grip strength among women (regression coefficient = -0.34 z score, 95% CI 0.64, 0.04, P = .03), but this relationship was not observed among men (regression coefficient = 0.28 z score, 95% CI 0.01, 0.57, P = .06). Conclusion: We found evidence of an association between poor sleep quality and poorer physical performance in older adults, though there appear to be important sex differences. (C) 2020 National Sleep Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

There is evidence of an association between poor sleep quality and poorer physical performance in older adults, with significant sex differences observed. Men with poor sleep quality were more likely to have poorer physical performance, while women showed the opposite pattern.