Poor sleep is associated with lower physical activity in a population-based cohort of middle-aged and older adults

Abstract Sleep problems and inadequate physical activity (PA) are associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. Most studies explored the influence of PA on sleep, but how sleep affects engagement in PA across adulthood remains less well investigated. This study examined the association between...

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Main Authors: Susanna C. Larsson, Emma Hållström, Karl Michaëlsson, Olga E. Titova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10991-2
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author Susanna C. Larsson
Emma Hållström
Karl Michaëlsson
Olga E. Titova
author_facet Susanna C. Larsson
Emma Hållström
Karl Michaëlsson
Olga E. Titova
author_sort Susanna C. Larsson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Sleep problems and inadequate physical activity (PA) are associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. Most studies explored the influence of PA on sleep, but how sleep affects engagement in PA across adulthood remains less well investigated. This study examined the association between sleep traits and PA reported the following year in 51,247 Swedish women and men (55–93 years), who completed questionnaires regarding their sleep, PA, and other characteristics. Health status was assessed with data from the Swedish National Patient Registry. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by binary logistic regression. In multivariable analysis, long sleep duration (≥ 9 h/night), sleep disturbance, and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) were associated with lower odds of engaging in walking or cycling, and exercising the following year. In addition, short sleep duration (< 7 h/night), sleep disturbance, and symptoms of SDB were linked to sedentary behavior (time spent on reading or watching TV). Several sex- and age-specific associations were observed. In addition to previous evidence of a positive effect of PA on sleep, our findings indicate that poor sleep may contribute to lower engagement in PA and a higher level of sedentary behavior, highlighting the bidirectional nature of the relationship between PA and sleep.
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spelling doaj-art-081fa1feeed74d6cb247e7dc0eeb451d2025-08-20T03:05:17ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511810.1038/s41598-025-10991-2Poor sleep is associated with lower physical activity in a population-based cohort of middle-aged and older adultsSusanna C. Larsson0Emma Hållström1Karl Michaëlsson2Olga E. Titova3Medical Epidemiology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University HospitalMedical Epidemiology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala UniversityMedical Epidemiology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala UniversityAbstract Sleep problems and inadequate physical activity (PA) are associated with numerous adverse health outcomes. Most studies explored the influence of PA on sleep, but how sleep affects engagement in PA across adulthood remains less well investigated. This study examined the association between sleep traits and PA reported the following year in 51,247 Swedish women and men (55–93 years), who completed questionnaires regarding their sleep, PA, and other characteristics. Health status was assessed with data from the Swedish National Patient Registry. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by binary logistic regression. In multivariable analysis, long sleep duration (≥ 9 h/night), sleep disturbance, and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) were associated with lower odds of engaging in walking or cycling, and exercising the following year. In addition, short sleep duration (< 7 h/night), sleep disturbance, and symptoms of SDB were linked to sedentary behavior (time spent on reading or watching TV). Several sex- and age-specific associations were observed. In addition to previous evidence of a positive effect of PA on sleep, our findings indicate that poor sleep may contribute to lower engagement in PA and a higher level of sedentary behavior, highlighting the bidirectional nature of the relationship between PA and sleep.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10991-2CohortSleep durationSleep disturbancesSleep-disordered breathing, physical activity
spellingShingle Susanna C. Larsson
Emma Hållström
Karl Michaëlsson
Olga E. Titova
Poor sleep is associated with lower physical activity in a population-based cohort of middle-aged and older adults
Scientific Reports
Cohort
Sleep duration
Sleep disturbances
Sleep-disordered breathing, physical activity
title Poor sleep is associated with lower physical activity in a population-based cohort of middle-aged and older adults
title_full Poor sleep is associated with lower physical activity in a population-based cohort of middle-aged and older adults
title_fullStr Poor sleep is associated with lower physical activity in a population-based cohort of middle-aged and older adults
title_full_unstemmed Poor sleep is associated with lower physical activity in a population-based cohort of middle-aged and older adults
title_short Poor sleep is associated with lower physical activity in a population-based cohort of middle-aged and older adults
title_sort poor sleep is associated with lower physical activity in a population based cohort of middle aged and older adults
topic Cohort
Sleep duration
Sleep disturbances
Sleep-disordered breathing, physical activity
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10991-2
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