The effects of physical activity on sleep: a meta-analytic review

18 Jan 2015M. Alexandra Kredlow, Michelle C. Capozzoli, Bridget A. Hearon, Amanda W. Calkins, Michael W. Otto

Analyses reveal that acute exercise has small beneficial effects on total sleep time, sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, stage 1 sleep, and slow wave sleep, a moderate beneficial effect on wake time after sleep onset, and a small effect on rapid eye movement sleep. Regular exercise has small beneficial effects on total sleep time and sleep efficiency, small-to-medium beneficial effects on sleep onset latency, and moderate beneficial effects on sleep quality.

Meta Analysis
2 effects
10 years

Reported Outcomes

DeterminantsOutcomeDetails

Moderate Exercise Selfcare risk & protective factor
Minor Protective Factor Moderate Exercise
Selfcare

Sleep Musculoskeletal outcome
Minor increase risk of Sleep
Musculoskeletal system

High evidence
3.0%

Intense Exercise Selfcare risk & protective factor
Minor Protective Factor Intense Exercise
Selfcare

Sleep Musculoskeletal outcome
Minor increase risk of Sleep
Musculoskeletal system

High evidence
5.0%