Optimizing Sleep in Older Adults: Where Does High-Intensity Interval Training Fit?

The present community-based study evaluated the effect of three different exercise interventions on sleep quality. Older adults were enrolled in one of three exercise intervention groups: high-intensity interval training (HIIT; n = 20), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT; n = 19) or stretc...

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Main Authors: Alexis Bullock, Ana Kovacevic, Tara Kuhn, Jennifer J. Heisz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-10-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.576316/full
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author Alexis Bullock
Ana Kovacevic
Tara Kuhn
Jennifer J. Heisz
author_facet Alexis Bullock
Ana Kovacevic
Tara Kuhn
Jennifer J. Heisz
author_sort Alexis Bullock
collection DOAJ
description The present community-based study evaluated the effect of three different exercise interventions on sleep quality. Older adults were enrolled in one of three exercise intervention groups: high-intensity interval training (HIIT; n = 20), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT; n = 19) or stretching (STRETCH; n = 22). Prior to and following the intervention, sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The PSQI was used to classify participants as poor (global PSQI score ≥5) or good (global PSQI score >5) sleepers and the effect of the intervention was examined on poor sleepers only. Around 70% of our sample was classified as poor sleepers. Poor sleepers were significantly impaired across all PSQI components, except for the use of sleeping medication, such that neither group was heavily prescribed. Exercise improved sleep quality for poor sleepers, but the intensity mattered. Specifically, MICT and STRETCH improved sleep efficiency for poor sleepers, whereas HIIT did not (p < 0.05). The results suggest that both MICT and STRETCH may be more effective than HIIT for optimizing sleep in poor sleepers. These findings help to inform exercise guidelines for enhancing sleep in the aging population.
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spelling doaj.art-6e8ef5f5e9d8458a94587bce1aefb8e82022-12-21T19:39:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782020-10-011110.3389/fpsyg.2020.576316576316Optimizing Sleep in Older Adults: Where Does High-Intensity Interval Training Fit?Alexis BullockAna KovacevicTara KuhnJennifer J. HeiszThe present community-based study evaluated the effect of three different exercise interventions on sleep quality. Older adults were enrolled in one of three exercise intervention groups: high-intensity interval training (HIIT; n = 20), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT; n = 19) or stretching (STRETCH; n = 22). Prior to and following the intervention, sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The PSQI was used to classify participants as poor (global PSQI score ≥5) or good (global PSQI score >5) sleepers and the effect of the intervention was examined on poor sleepers only. Around 70% of our sample was classified as poor sleepers. Poor sleepers were significantly impaired across all PSQI components, except for the use of sleeping medication, such that neither group was heavily prescribed. Exercise improved sleep quality for poor sleepers, but the intensity mattered. Specifically, MICT and STRETCH improved sleep efficiency for poor sleepers, whereas HIIT did not (p < 0.05). The results suggest that both MICT and STRETCH may be more effective than HIIT for optimizing sleep in poor sleepers. These findings help to inform exercise guidelines for enhancing sleep in the aging population.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.576316/fullagingexercisesleep qualitysleep efficiencyphysical healthmental health
spellingShingle Alexis Bullock
Ana Kovacevic
Tara Kuhn
Jennifer J. Heisz
Optimizing Sleep in Older Adults: Where Does High-Intensity Interval Training Fit?
Frontiers in Psychology
aging
exercise
sleep quality
sleep efficiency
physical health
mental health
title Optimizing Sleep in Older Adults: Where Does High-Intensity Interval Training Fit?
title_full Optimizing Sleep in Older Adults: Where Does High-Intensity Interval Training Fit?
title_fullStr Optimizing Sleep in Older Adults: Where Does High-Intensity Interval Training Fit?
title_full_unstemmed Optimizing Sleep in Older Adults: Where Does High-Intensity Interval Training Fit?
title_short Optimizing Sleep in Older Adults: Where Does High-Intensity Interval Training Fit?
title_sort optimizing sleep in older adults where does high intensity interval training fit
topic aging
exercise
sleep quality
sleep efficiency
physical health
mental health
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.576316/full
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