Reduction of Physical Activity Levels During the COVID-19 Pandemic Might Negatively Disturb Sleep Pattern

The outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global panic and public concern due to its mortality ratio and lack of treatments/vaccines. Reduced levels of physical activity have been reported during the outbreak, affecting the normal daily pattern.

To investigate (i) the relationship of physical activity level with sleep quality and (ii) the effects of reduction physical activity levels on sleep quality.

A Google form was used to address personal information, COVID-19 personal care, physical activity, and mental health of 1,907 adult volunteers. Binary logistic regression was used to verify the association of physical activity parameters and sleep quality.

Insufficient physical activity levels were a risk factor to have disturbed sleep pattern [OR: 1.28, 95% CI (1.01-1.62)]; however, when the BMI was added to the analysis, there was no more statistical difference [OR: 1.23, 95% CI (0.96-1.57)]. On the other hand, we found that the reduction of physical activity levels was associated with negative changes in sleep quality [OR: 1.73, 95% CI (1.37-2.18)], regardless all the confounders [OR: 1.30, 95% CI (1.01-1.68)], unless when feeling of depression was added in Model 6 [OR: 1.28, 95% CI (0.99-1.66)].

Disruption in daily physical activity routine, rather than physical activity level, negatively influences sleep quality during the COVID-19 quarantine.