Physical activity improves sleep quality in women

Sleep is a naturally recurring state of mind and body, characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited sensory activity and reduced muscle activity. About one third of human life spends sleeping. This shows the importance of sleep quality which can be affected by various factors including physical activity and sex.So, the aim of this study was to compare the sleep quality between physical active and inactive women.In this comparative study, ۴۰ participants were selected by available sampling and were purposefully divided into two groups (n=۲۰ in each group): active (A) and inactive (IA). A group participated in regular exercise training (i.e. ۸ hours per week), but IA group did not participate in any planed exercise training program in ۲۰۲۰. Petersburg questionnaire was used to assess the participants ’quality of sleep. Independent T test used to compare the groups scores and significancy was set at ۰.۰۵.The results showed that there was a significant difference in the average sleep quality (total), mental sleep quality, normal sleep efficiency, total sleep duration, daily dysfunction, time required to fall sleep between two groups (P < ۰.۰۵). But there was no significant difference in the criteria of sleep disorders and the use of hypnotics (P> ۰.۰۵).Discussion and According to these results, it can be concluded that participation in regular exercise can improve sleep quality. However, sleep disorder and hypnotic usage may affect by other factors rather than exercise. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the effect of physical activity on sleep quality. Among which attenuating heart rate variability, physical fitness, glucose metabolism and increase BDNF as well as growth hormone levels are the most important.

کلیدواژه ها:

Physical activity ، sleep ، Women