The Physical Activity and Sleep Quality - A Correlation Analysis of Young Adults in India

Abstract

Introduction: An adequate and undisturbed sleep is a necessity for physical and mental wellbeing. Lack of sleep will have an impact on growth, mental, biological functioning and immunity. Studies on young adults suggest, there is an evident increase in sedentary life style and change in physical activity status over the last decade. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship and effects of physical activity on sleep in young adults in India. Also, to determine the change in the sleep parameters according to gender and physical activity. Methods: Study includes 215 (n=215) young healthy adults between age 18-35years.Males and females 87 and 128 respectively. Informed consent and anthropometric measurements were taken. Participants were interviewed and guided for self-report of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for recording sleep and Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) for recording physical activity status in past 7days. Inclusion criteria: Healthy young adults between 18-35 years of age, willing to participate in the survey. Exclusion criteria: Participants suffering from infections, history of illness in past three months, participants with the history of ongoing chronic disease. Findings: 178 participants were in the age group of 18-22years. Weak negative correlation is seen in physical activity and sleep. Participants with low intensity physical activity reported affected sleep, with disturbed sleep (r= -0.186), difficulty in breathing at night (r=-0.135), Sleep disturbances due to bad dreams (r= -0.131) were seen in very few participants with moderate level activities. Conclusion: Weak negative correlation is found in physical activity and sleep. Vigorous to moderate intensity physical activity has good effect on quality of sleep. Women and young adults have better sleep parameters and physical activity intensity. Most of the subjects were found to have low to moderate levels of physical activity and were unaware about the necessary levels of physical activity. Novelty: The studies are focusing on young Indian population, who have a very busy lifestyle. There are studies focusing of sleep with higher mental function and effect of the physical activity on memory and mental health. However, the current study aims at understanding the correlation between the physical activity and sleep. Keywords: Physical Activity; Sleep Quality; Young Adults; Sleep Patterns; Sleep Habits; Physical Inactivity; Sedentary Lifestyle