Effect of Nighttime Exercise on Sleep Quality Among the General Population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Engaging in physical activity has been proven to have health benefits, with a positive impact on sleep quality. While the timing of exercise plays a significant role in determining its effect on sleep, nighttime exercise still needs to be explored, especially in Saudi Arabia. This study assessed the effect of nighttime exercise on sleep quality among the general population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on people performing physical exercises in the gym, training, and walking places using a self-administered questionnaire evaluating exercising behaviors and sleep quality. Comparisons were performed using the Chi-square test and ANOVA, and p<0.05 was considered for significance. Results We enrolled 385 participants, among whom 53.8% were male, and 47.2% were female. The mean age was 28.2 +/- 7.85 years, and mostly aged 25-29 years (24.7%), followed by 20-24 years old (21.3%). Most had university degrees (61.3%) and were also employed (60%). Of all participants, the majority were overweight and obese (61.3%). Most (n=225) participants practiced vigorous physical exercise, and the mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score was 7.37 +/- 3.49 points. Evening vigorous (r=0.25, p=0.038) and moderate (r=0.30, p=0.025) physical exercise sessions lasting > 90 min had a significant positive correlation with poor sleep quality (high PSQL score). There was no statistically significant correlation between sleep quality and other variables (p>0.05). Conclusion This study found that participants had poor sleep quality, and lengthy, intense evening exercises had a negative effect on sleep. Incorporating regular exercise tailored to individual preferences and encouraging people to widen the time interval between exercise and bedtime could improve sleep quality.