Sleep Quality and Recommended Levels of Physical Activity in Older People

A minimum level of activity likely to improve sleep outcomes among older people has not previously been explored. In a representative UK sample aged 65+ (n = 926), cross-sectional regressions controlling for appropriate confounders showed that walking at or above the internationally recommended threshold of >= 150 min per week was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of reporting insomnia symptoms (OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.45-0.91, p <.05). At a 4-year follow-up (n = 577), higher walking levels at baseline significantly predicted a lower likelihood of reporting sleep onset (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.42-0.97, p <.05) or sleep maintenance (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.41-0.95, p <.05) problems. These results are consistent with the conclusion that current physical activity guidelines can support sleep quality in older adults.