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Association of leisure-time physical activity and sleep quality among healthcare workers in China: a cross-sectional study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests that insufficient physical activity is a risk factor for poor sleep quality. However, few studies have investigated their relationship in healthcare workers. This study aims to fill this research gap by assessing the association between leisure-time physical activity and sleep quality among healthcare workers in China. METHODS: Our data came from a cross-sectional study conducted from October to December 2022. Using stratified random sampling, we collected behavioral and health data from 2,896 healthcare workers in Shanghai. We applied multiple linear and logistic regressions to assess the association between leisure-time physical activity and sleep quality measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), controlling for confounders. RESULTS: Among the 2,896 participants included in the analytical sample, the prevalence of sleep disturbance was 62.88% and the average PSQI score was 6.94 (SD = 3.45). Sleep disturbance was associated with nurses and other occupations, chronic diseases, stress, and increased workload. Leisure-time physical activity (OR = 0.770 (0.651, 0.911), p = 0.002) was a significant protective factor of sleep disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: Leisure-time physical activity may be a protective factor for sleep quality among healthcare workers in China. Actionable policies and interventions, such as paid time off and subsidized gym membership, should be invested to increase physical activity among Chinese healthcare workers and, ultimately, improve their sleep quality and overall health.

Source: BMC Public Health

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-025-23226-w