Study reveals how physical activity impacts sleep quality in older adults during COVID-19 pandemic

The researchers point out the importance of PA as an accessible way to enhance sleep quality in older adults, particularly during times of crisis. Encouraging regular exercise and movement may help prevent sleep disorders and improve overall well-being in aging populations.

“PA can be considered a safe and effective practice to improve sleep quality in older adults due to its well-documented benefits in the literature.”

As the world moves past the pandemic, the researchers call for public health policies that promote PA for seniors. Health professionals and caregivers should advocate for regular movement as a preventive measure against insomnia, poor sleep, and mental health issues while emphasizing the long-term consequences of physical inactivity. The study also highlights the need for further research on the most effective types and intensities of PA for improving sleep quality in older adults.

“The practice of exercise and PA, individually and in groups, is recommended for this post-COVID scenario, as a measure to reduce social isolation and its negative effects and improve the quality of sleep in older adults.”

Future studies should explore how different exercise routines impact sleep health, especially for older adults recovering from COVID-19 or facing ongoing sleep challenges.

Reference:

Alexandro Andrade, Ana Cecília Rosatelli de Freitas Bastos, Anderson D’Oliveira, Guilherme Torres Vilarino, Association between physical activity practice and sleep quality of older people in social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and Health Guidelines and future studies for the post-COVID period: a systematic review, Aging-US, https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206180.