Given the huge leaps seen in the health terrain with respect to treatments and techniques to combat illnesses, could simple lifestyle choices be of any use? Outlining the importance of exercises, experts from the Oregon State University have revealed that people are more active and alert at daytime if they are exposed to a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity in a week.
In the investigation, above 2,600 subjects in the age-group 18 to 25 were inspected. The results showed that about 150 minutes of moderate to hardcore activities in a week seemingly enhanced 65% sleep patterns. The participants reported that they encountered comparatively less sleepiness during the day, than those who did not exert themselves.
“We were using the physical activity guidelines set forth for cardiovascular health, but it appears that those guidelines might have a spillover effect to other areas of health. Increasingly, the scientific evidence is encouraging as regular physical activity may serve as a non-pharmaceutical alternative to improve sleep,†commented Brad Cardinal, a professor of exercise science at Oregon State University and one of the study’s authors.
Certain factors like smoking, health conditions, smoking status and depressive symptoms were controlled in the trial. About 65% of the risk associated with feeling very sleepy during the day seemed to decrease in participants conforming to the physical activity guidelines
The possibility of experiencing leg cramps while sleeping appeared to reduce by 68% while mind wandering due to fatigue reduced by 45%. The study essentially unfolded that exercise works not just for obesity and heart health, but also influences the overall tasks in the day.
The analysis is published in the journal, Mental Health and Physical Activity.