Physical activity can improve sleep

Older adults looking to get a good night sleep should consider increasing their physical activity, researchers claim.

A study at Oregon University revealed that people sleep better and feel more alert when they get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week.

Professor Brad Cardinal, contributory author of the study, stated: "Regular physical activity may serve as a non-pharmaceutical alternative to improve sleep."

In a previous study it was found that a strict diet and exercise program could also benefit obese patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Patients experienced an improvement in OSA symptoms including snoring and daytime sleepiness following a 16-week diet and exercise programme.

Weight loss was also significant, averaging 12.3 kg. However, although weight loss reduced the average apneahypopnea index, the change was not dramatically significant.

Maree Barnes, principal investigator on the study, commented: "Although there were some improvements in sleep disordered breath, in was not see in all patients."

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