Optimal Sleep Quality and Morning or Evening Exercise?

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Matthew Buman PhD School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University Arizona State University, School of Nutrition and Health Promotion Phoenix, AZMatthew Buman PhD
School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University
Arizona State University, School of Nutrition and Health Promotion
Phoenix, AZ

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?

Dr. Buman: We found that that exercise at night (within 4 hours of bedtime) was not associated with poor sleep compared with individuals that did not exercise before bed. However, we also found that morning exercise appears to be associated with optimal sleep quality.

MedicalResearch.com:  Were any of the findings unexpected?

Dr. Buman: Popular opinion and national sleep recommendations suggest exercise should be avoided prior to sleep. This study is consistent with other literature that has found no relationship between nighttime exercise and poor sleep.

MedicalResearch.com:  What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Buman: Our results indicate that given the many health benefits of exercise, individuals should be encouraged to exercise prior to bed if that fits best with their schedule.

MedicalResearch.com:  What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Buman: While our study did examined self-identified ‘poor sleepers’ and found no relationship between nighttime exercise and sleep quality, future studies should more closely examine whether insomniacs may be more prone to exacerbated sleep complaints following nighttime exercise. This study also needs to followed up with prospective studies and objective measures of physical activity and sleep.

Citation:

Does Nighttime Exercise Really Disturb Sleep? Results from the 2013 National Sleep Foundation Sleep in America Poll

Matthew Buman, Barbara Phillips, Shawn D. Youngstedt, Christopher E. Kline, Max Hirshkowitz

Sleep Medicine – 10 February 2014 (10.1016/j.sleep.2014.01.008)

Last Updated on February 12, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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