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The Association of Vigorous Activity With Sleep Patterns in the Adventist Health Study 2 Authors
Michael Paalani1, Daijah Lofton1, Salim Serrano1
1Preventive Care DrPH Program, Loma Linda University School of Public Health, Loma Linda, CA, USA (MP, DL, SS, JAA, AA-B, JWL, WLB, HDS).
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
|July 29, 2026
Summary
Vigorous exercise may help you fall asleep faster. However, this study found no link between intense physical activity and waking up during the night. More research is needed to fully understand exercise and sleep patterns.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Science
- Exercise Physiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Physical activity is linked to improved sleep, but the impact of vigorous exercise on sleep onset and maintenance remains unclear.
- Understanding the relationship between exercise intensity and specific sleep disturbances is crucial for public health recommendations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the frequency of vigorous physical activity and the likelihood of experiencing difficulty falling asleep and waking during the night.
- To identify factors associated with sleep disturbances in a large adult cohort.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Adventist Health Study-2 (AHS-2) and the Biopsychosocial Religion and Health Study (BRHS) on a subset of 3960 adults.
- Employed logistic regression analysis, adjusting for numerous covariates including age, gender, BMI, diet, and sleep habits.
- Analyzed sleep patterns, focusing on difficulty falling asleep and nocturnal awakenings in relation to vigorous physical activity levels.
Main Results:
- Increased frequency of vigorous physical activity was significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of difficulty falling asleep (OR = 0.97; P = 0.03).
- Factors such as female gender, older age, weekday napping, and sleeping ≥9 hours per night were linked to higher odds of difficulty falling asleep.
- Vigorous physical activity did not show a significant association with waking during the night.
Conclusions:
- Vigorous physical activity appears to be a protective factor against difficulty falling asleep.
- Sleep duration, napping, age, and gender are important factors influencing sleep onset.
- Further research should explore the mechanisms underlying the relationship between vigorous exercise and sleep initiation.
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