Effects of a training program in post-menopausal women

Sleep is a function that has a direct influence on health. The current investigation examined the acute relationship between exercise behaviour and self-reported sleep in older adults. For this purpose, a quantitative approach to the influence of a 10-week physical activity program (PAP) on the quality and quantity of sleep was attempted. Thirty-four community-dwelling, initially sedentary, post-menopausal women (mean age = 67.4 years, SD = 10,8 years) completed two days per week training program. "Time to fall asleep", "duration of sleep" and "altered sleep frequency" were estimated from the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after the PAP. We found no significant differences in time to fall asleep and sleep duration after the PAP. We found a significant reduction in the altered sleep frequency after the PAP. Conclusions: The PAP had no influence on the time to fall asleep or on the duration of sleep. The PAP exerted a positive influence on the quality of sleep by reducing the frequency of its alterations.