International Journal of Sport, Exercise and Health Research 2023; 7(2): 64-72 DOI:10.31254/sportmed.7206
Association of morning and evening physical exercise with sleep quality and insomnia: differences between chronotypes
Victória Gabriella Fidelix de Mecenas1,2 , Thalis Vinicius dos Santos Alves1,2 , Anny Kariny Pereira Pedrosa3 , Márcia de Oliveira Lima3 , Risia Cristina Egito de Menezes1 , Renan Serenini4 , Giovana Longo-Silva3
1. Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil
2. These authors contributed equally to this work.
3. Faculty of Nutrition, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceio, Alagoas, Brazil
4. Faculty of Economics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 13th August, 2023 / Accepted: 15th November, 2023
Objective: to investigate the association of morning and evening physical exercise with sleep quality (duration, latency, awakenings, and self-perceived sleep quality) and insomnia, depending on the chronotype. Methods: Participants (n=2,050; 18-65y) were part of a population-based research, with virtual data collection. Multiple logistic regression models were conducted to analyze the association of physical exercise (yes/no; frequency; morning/evening) with sleep variables (outcome), among all participants and according to chronotype. Linear regression analysis assessed differences in sleep duration, latency, and nocturnal awakenings (outcomes) associated with physical exercise variables. Multiple analyzes were adjusted for age, sex, diet quality, BMI, smoking, and evening alcohol consumption. Results: Participants who performed physical exercise had better sleep parameters and its practice in the morning was associated with shorter sleep latency among early (OR=-0.49; 95%CI=0.25;0.94; p<0.05) and late chronotypes (β=-15.10; 95%CI=-28.39;-1.81; p<0.05). There was no effect of exercising in the evening among intermediate and late chronotypes, however, among early types, it was associated with a higher frequency of awakenings (OR=1.78; 95%CI=1.06;2.96; p<0.05) and insomnia (OR=1.91; 95%CI=1.04;3.53; p<0.05). Conclusions: Such findings suggest the need to consider chronotypes, along with existing recommendations for sleep hygiene and circadian hygiene, in clinicalepidemiological physical activity strategies focused on promoting sleep quality and circadian health.
Sleep, Chronotype, Chronobiology, Exercise
