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Poor sleep quality and physical performance in older adults
Hayley J Denison1, Karen A Jameson2, Avan A Sayer3
1Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University, PO Box 756, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
Sleep Health
|November 23, 2020
Summary
Poor sleep quality is linked to lower physical performance in older men but not older women. However, poor sleep is associated with reduced hand-grip strength in older women, highlighting significant sex differences in sleep and physical health.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sleep Medicine
- Exercise Physiology
Background:
- Sleep quality is a crucial factor in maintaining health and function in older adults.
- Physical performance declines with age, impacting independence and quality of life.
- Understanding the interplay between sleep and physical function is vital for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between sleep quality and physical performance in UK community-dwelling older adults.
- To explore potential sex-based differences in this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
- Physical performance was assessed via the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), timed up-and-go test, and hand-grip strength.
- Regression analyses were employed to examine associations, adjusting for confounding factors.
Main Results:
- Poor sleep quality was associated with lower SPPB scores in older men (OR = 2.54, P = .03).
- Conversely, poor sleep was linked to higher SPPB scores in older women (OR = 0.36, P = .02).
- Poor sleep quality correlated with reduced hand-grip strength in women (β = -0.34, P = .03), but not in men.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant association between poor sleep quality and poorer physical performance in older adults.
- Important sex differences exist in how sleep quality affects physical performance metrics.
- These findings underscore the need to consider sex when evaluating sleep's impact on aging and physical function.
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