Moderate-intensity continuous exercise preserves sleep quality, while high-intensity intermittent exercise disrupts it in female night-shift healthcare workers
Abstract This study aimed to explore the effects of a single bout of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) on sleep in inactive female healthcare workers with mild sleep impairment during continuous night-shifts. A total of 14 subjects (mean ag...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09404-1 |
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| author | Shih-Hao Wu Wan-Ju Cheng Li-Jung Chen Po-Wen Ku Fen-Wei Huang Ching-Wen Tai Ya-Hui Chang Chih-Hui Chiu |
| author_facet | Shih-Hao Wu Wan-Ju Cheng Li-Jung Chen Po-Wen Ku Fen-Wei Huang Ching-Wen Tai Ya-Hui Chang Chih-Hui Chiu |
| author_sort | Shih-Hao Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This study aimed to explore the effects of a single bout of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) on sleep in inactive female healthcare workers with mild sleep impairment during continuous night-shifts. A total of 14 subjects (mean age: 31.8 ± 8.3 years) were randomized to either a MICE (70 ~ 75% of the maximum heart rate (MaxHR) for 47 min), HIIE (90 ~ 95% of the MaxHR for 4 min and 50 ~ 70% for 3 min, for 4 rounds, total 28 min), or the quiet-rest control, 14 h before undertaking a continuous night shift. Sleep quality was assessed subjectively by a single question score, and objectively by ActiGraph for one night before and 3 sleeps after exercise with a heart rate variability monitor. After the intervention, MICE resulted in a significant improvement in subjective sleep quality (P = 0.035), earlier bedtime (P < 0.001), and more total sleep time (P = 0.028) compared with the control trial (CTL). Compared with MICE, the HIIE had a greater reduction in sleep efficiency by 7.39% (P = 0.010) and had a greater increase in wake after sleep onset percentage (increase 10%, P = 0.049), sleep fragmentation index (increase 2%, P = 0.001), and a modest increase in mean activity during TIB (increase 35.49, P = 0.035). Regarding HRV, HIIE trial showed an increased LF/HF following intervention while CTL decreased. A single session of MICE preserved subjective sleep quality and promoted an earlier bedtime prior to the first night shift for female healthcare workers experiencing mild sleep disturbances during night shifts. However, compared with MICE, a single session of HIIE had a detrimental effect on sleep maintenance and increased sympathetic activity, even affecting sleep before the second night shift. Trial registration NCT06638359. Registered 15 October 2024 Retrospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov . |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a1df8c812d424b49ab12250ead64342c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-a1df8c812d424b49ab12250ead64342c2025-08-20T03:46:04ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111410.1038/s41598-025-09404-1Moderate-intensity continuous exercise preserves sleep quality, while high-intensity intermittent exercise disrupts it in female night-shift healthcare workersShih-Hao Wu0Wan-Ju Cheng1Li-Jung Chen2Po-Wen Ku3Fen-Wei Huang4Ching-Wen Tai5Ya-Hui Chang6Chih-Hui Chiu7Department of Emergency Medicine, China Medical University HospitalDepartment of Public Health, China Medical UniversityDepartment of Exercise Health Science, National Taiwan University of SportGraduate Institute of Sports and Health Management, National Chung Hsing UniversitySchool of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical UniversityGraduate Program in Department of Exercise Health Science, National Taiwan University of SportGraduate Program in Department of Exercise Health Science, National Taiwan University of SportGraduate Program in Department of Exercise Health Science, National Taiwan University of SportAbstract This study aimed to explore the effects of a single bout of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) on sleep in inactive female healthcare workers with mild sleep impairment during continuous night-shifts. A total of 14 subjects (mean age: 31.8 ± 8.3 years) were randomized to either a MICE (70 ~ 75% of the maximum heart rate (MaxHR) for 47 min), HIIE (90 ~ 95% of the MaxHR for 4 min and 50 ~ 70% for 3 min, for 4 rounds, total 28 min), or the quiet-rest control, 14 h before undertaking a continuous night shift. Sleep quality was assessed subjectively by a single question score, and objectively by ActiGraph for one night before and 3 sleeps after exercise with a heart rate variability monitor. After the intervention, MICE resulted in a significant improvement in subjective sleep quality (P = 0.035), earlier bedtime (P < 0.001), and more total sleep time (P = 0.028) compared with the control trial (CTL). Compared with MICE, the HIIE had a greater reduction in sleep efficiency by 7.39% (P = 0.010) and had a greater increase in wake after sleep onset percentage (increase 10%, P = 0.049), sleep fragmentation index (increase 2%, P = 0.001), and a modest increase in mean activity during TIB (increase 35.49, P = 0.035). Regarding HRV, HIIE trial showed an increased LF/HF following intervention while CTL decreased. A single session of MICE preserved subjective sleep quality and promoted an earlier bedtime prior to the first night shift for female healthcare workers experiencing mild sleep disturbances during night shifts. However, compared with MICE, a single session of HIIE had a detrimental effect on sleep maintenance and increased sympathetic activity, even affecting sleep before the second night shift. Trial registration NCT06638359. Registered 15 October 2024 Retrospectively registered, https://register.clinicaltrials.gov .https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09404-1Heart rate variabilityShift workerSleep qualityAcute exerciseSleep initiation and maintenance disordersSleep disturbance |
| spellingShingle | Shih-Hao Wu Wan-Ju Cheng Li-Jung Chen Po-Wen Ku Fen-Wei Huang Ching-Wen Tai Ya-Hui Chang Chih-Hui Chiu Moderate-intensity continuous exercise preserves sleep quality, while high-intensity intermittent exercise disrupts it in female night-shift healthcare workers Scientific Reports Heart rate variability Shift worker Sleep quality Acute exercise Sleep initiation and maintenance disorders Sleep disturbance |
| title | Moderate-intensity continuous exercise preserves sleep quality, while high-intensity intermittent exercise disrupts it in female night-shift healthcare workers |
| title_full | Moderate-intensity continuous exercise preserves sleep quality, while high-intensity intermittent exercise disrupts it in female night-shift healthcare workers |
| title_fullStr | Moderate-intensity continuous exercise preserves sleep quality, while high-intensity intermittent exercise disrupts it in female night-shift healthcare workers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Moderate-intensity continuous exercise preserves sleep quality, while high-intensity intermittent exercise disrupts it in female night-shift healthcare workers |
| title_short | Moderate-intensity continuous exercise preserves sleep quality, while high-intensity intermittent exercise disrupts it in female night-shift healthcare workers |
| title_sort | moderate intensity continuous exercise preserves sleep quality while high intensity intermittent exercise disrupts it in female night shift healthcare workers |
| topic | Heart rate variability Shift worker Sleep quality Acute exercise Sleep initiation and maintenance disorders Sleep disturbance |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09404-1 |
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