Association between the timing of habitual physical activity and sleep in older adults / 体力科学

ABSTRACT

<p>We examined the relationship between the timing of habitual physical activities and sleep quality in older adults. The subjects were Japanese community-dwelling older adults (n=49, average age 70.1±3.5 years; men 36.7%). We measured habitual physical activity using a 3-axis accelerometer (HJA-350 IT, Omron) for a week. Timing of physical activity was classified into the following three periods (1) morning waking to 1159, (2) afternoon 1200 to 1759, and (3) night 1800 to bedtime. We also categorized the intensity of habitual physical activity during 2 sessions as either (1) low (1.6-2.9 METs) or (2) moderate-to-vigorous (≧3.0 METs) intensity. The subjective sleep parameters were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). We used a forced-entry multiple regression analysis to investigate the relationships between subjective sleep parameters and the timing of physical activities. Forced-entry multiple regression analysis revealed that sleep latency and PSQI global score were positively correlated with low-intensity physical activity at night. However, there was no significant correlation with moderate-to-vigorous activity. These results suggest that low-intensity habitual physical activity at night would be one useful and modifiable factor to improve sleep quality in the elderly.</p>