Amount and timing of physical activity in relation to sleep quality in the general middle-aged Dutch population: A cross-sectional analysis

TY - JOUR

T1 - Amount and timing of physical activity in relation to sleep quality in the general middle-aged Dutch population

T2 - A cross-sectional analysis

AU - Andriessen, Charlotte

AU - Rutters, Femke

AU - Hoeks, Joris

AU - Kalsbeek, Andries

AU - Noordam, Raymond

AU - Rosendaal, Frits R.

AU - van Heemst, Diana

AU - Després, Jean Pierre

AU - Raina, Parminder

AU - Campbell, David J.T.

AU - Schrauwen, Patrick

AU - de Mutsert, Renée

AU - van der Velde, Jeroen H.P.M.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Authors

PY - 2025/4

Y1 - 2025/4

N2 - Objectives: To examine whether the amount and timing of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was associated with sleep quality and duration in the general population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of data of a Dutch cohort collected between 2008 and 2012. Timing of physical activity (measured using an accelerometer) was categorized as performing most MVPA in morning (06:00–12:00), afternoon (12:00–18:00), evening (18:00–00:00), or even distribution of MVPA over the day (reference). Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). We estimated OR with 95 % CI of a poor score on individual PSQI components and global PSQI score using logistic regression while adjusting for relevant covariates. Results: We analyzed 736 participants, of whom 57 % women, aged 56 (6) years, BMI 26.1 (4.2) kg/m2). Amount of MVPA (hours/day) was associated with lower odds of fatigue-related dysfunction during daytime (OR: 0.54 0.32–0.94), but not with global PSQI score. Participants who performed most MVPA in the morning were less likely to report sleep disturbances (OR: 0.23, 95 % CI: 0.09–0.60), compared to participants with an even distribution of. Timing of MVPA was not associated with global PSQI score nor other components and CI were large. Conclusions: Differences in sleep quality are unlikely to be biological mechanisms underlying the previously shown associations between timing of physical activity and metabolic health.

AB - Objectives: To examine whether the amount and timing of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was associated with sleep quality and duration in the general population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis of data of a Dutch cohort collected between 2008 and 2012. Timing of physical activity (measured using an accelerometer) was categorized as performing most MVPA in morning (06:00–12:00), afternoon (12:00–18:00), evening (18:00–00:00), or even distribution of MVPA over the day (reference). Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). We estimated OR with 95 % CI of a poor score on individual PSQI components and global PSQI score using logistic regression while adjusting for relevant covariates. Results: We analyzed 736 participants, of whom 57 % women, aged 56 (6) years, BMI 26.1 (4.2) kg/m2). Amount of MVPA (hours/day) was associated with lower odds of fatigue-related dysfunction during daytime (OR: 0.54 0.32–0.94), but not with global PSQI score. Participants who performed most MVPA in the morning were less likely to report sleep disturbances (OR: 0.23, 95 % CI: 0.09–0.60), compared to participants with an even distribution of. Timing of MVPA was not associated with global PSQI score nor other components and CI were large. Conclusions: Differences in sleep quality are unlikely to be biological mechanisms underlying the previously shown associations between timing of physical activity and metabolic health.

KW - Circadian rhythm

KW - Epidemiology

KW - Exercise

KW - Physical activity

KW - Sleep

KW - Zeitgeber

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105000647870

U2 - 10.1016/j.pmedr.2025.103035

DO - 10.1016/j.pmedr.2025.103035

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:105000647870

SN - 2211-3355

VL - 53

JO - Preventive Medicine Reports

JF - Preventive Medicine Reports

M1 - 103035

ER -