Work

The Relationship Between Sleep Characteristics and Unmet Physical Activity Need in Older Women

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: We examined among older women the association of sleep quality, daytime tiredness, and sleep duration with unmet physical activity need, that is, wishing to be more physically active but perceiving no opportunity for it. Method: Cross-sectional logistic regression analyses among women aged 74 to 86 years (Finnish Twin Study on Aging, third wave, n = 302). Results: Thirty-one participants reported unmet physical activity need. Short sleepers had fivefold and long sleepers threefold odds for unmet physical activity need compared with normative sleepers, while for daytime tiredness the odds were double. Presence of daytime tiredness and unmet physical activity coincided with higher prevalence of chronic diseases, depressive symptoms and walking difficulties, which partly explains the observed associations. Poor sleep quality was not associated with unmet physical activity need. Discussion: Older women with nonoptimal sleep characteristics who perceive unmet physical activity need may benefit from solutions that improve their perceived opportunities for physical activity.

Source: Journal of Aging and Health

DOI: 10.1177/0898264318814021

Authors: Lotta Palmberg, Anne Viljanen, Taina Rantanen, Jaakko Kaprio, Merja Rantakokko

Institutions: University of Jyväskylä, University of Helsinki, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland

Language: English

Topic: Sleep and related disorders

Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Academy of Finland, Opetus- ja Kulttuuriministeriö, Tampereen Yliopisto, Jyväskylän Yliopisto