Does exercise help improve sleep and night breathing?

Sleep apnea is a condition in which patients are unable to breathe properly due to airflow obstruction. This problem makes it difficult for people to sleep peacefully at night due to interrupted breathing. Therefore, it is a solution to find an option to solve this problem. One of them is exercise. People who workout regularly and stay active during the daytime sleep better. To learn more about the impact of exercising on sleep, read further!

Does exercise improve sleep?

A study found that an exercise program that combines brisk walking and strength training can reduce the severity of sleep problems. The risk is reduced by 25%, which is equal to what you can achieve by undergoing some types of surgery.

Another revelation from the study is that a 25% cut can be attained without losing weight. We all know that obesity is a risk factor for sleep apnea and reducing weight can improve the condition. But, to achieve a 25% reduction in the severity of sleep apnea, a 10% reduction in body weight is required. However, with this being said, it is important to note here that exercise alone cannot replace medical treatment such as CPAP which can eliminate apnea.

In addition to improving sleep apnea, exercise also has other benefits. It improves sleep, enhances concentration and reduces fatigue. In addition, the act of exercising has many heart benefits. It reduces the risk factors and minimises respiratory problems.

Studies have found that exercise helps fight sleep apnea

Forty-three sedentary adults with moderate to severe sleep deprivation were recruited for this study. The aim was to evaluate the quality of life and the number of apnea episodes. Half of the people were assigned to a 12-week exercise program during the course, while the other half were told to do low-intensity exercise. Those in the previous group walked briskly for about 30 to 40 minutes four days a week and trained twice a day. Participants in the stretching program met twice a week to improve their flexibility.

The researchers conducted sleep tests before and after the program to monitor the participants. In addition, they prepared a questionnaire to assess changes in mood, daytime activity, and fatigue. Besides, participants were simultaneously tested on their ability to solve problems, think, and remember. The results showed that among the patients in the exercise, the number of apnea episodes decreased from an average of 32 to 25. In the stretching group, breathing problems worsened and decreased from 24 to 29.

How does exercise improve other aspects of sleep?

In another study, researchers asked participants to wear sensors that monitored movement during their daily lives. Then, they were taken to a lab to measure how much sleep they had. It was found that people who are active during the day sleep better. In addition, they spend more time in deep sleep, which is beneficial for memory and learning. Therefore, exercise is beneficial for patients with sleep apnea. It reduces the symptoms and improves quality of life, making it one of the best sleep treatments.