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Sleep quality and body composition in active and inactive young adults
Krystian Maruszczak1, Wojciech Kasperek2, Konrad Kustra2
1Department of Clinical Physiotherapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders, Institute of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, Collegium Medicum, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland. krystian.maruszczak@onet.pl.
Scientific Reports
|November 12, 2025
Summary
Physically active young adults exhibit superior body composition and sleep quality compared to inactive peers. Regular physical activity is linked to better health markers and improved sleep, though causality requires further study.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sleep Science
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Body composition is dynamic, especially in young adults, influenced by lifestyle factors.
- Physical activity and sleep quality are crucial determinants of overall health and well-being.
- Understanding the interplay between physical activity, body composition, and sleep is vital for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare body composition, anthropometric indices, and sleep quality between physically active and inactive young adults.
- To investigate the relationships between sleep quality and various body composition parameters in young adults.
- To identify potential links between physical activity levels, body composition, and sleep patterns.
Main Methods:
- Observational study involving 100 young adults categorized as physically active or inactive using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF).
- Sleep quality assessed via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and body composition measured using the InBody 770 analyzer.
- Statistical analyses were performed to compare groups and explore correlations between sleep quality and body composition metrics.
Main Results:
- Physically active individuals demonstrated significantly better body composition (higher total body water, muscle mass, bone mineral content; lower fat mass, BMI, WHR, WHtR, ABSI) and superior sleep quality (lower Global Sleep Score - GSS).
- Significant correlations were found between GSS and body composition: positive with fat mass, WHR, WHtR; negative with total body water, fat-free mass, and bone mineral content.
- No significant associations were observed between GSS and muscle mass or ABSI.
Conclusions:
- Regular physical activity is associated with more favorable body composition and enhanced sleep quality in young adults.
- Specific body composition factors, particularly fat mass and central adiposity indicators, are significantly linked to sleep quality.
- Findings suggest a connection between metabolic health, body composition, and sleep patterns, warranting further investigation into causality.
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