Study: Exercise improves sleep and daytime awareness

As people age, the body’s natural sleep/wake cycles (circadian rhythms) can get out of kilter. But the more a person exercises, the better the body can maintain its own internal clock, according to a study published in The Journals of Gerontology A.

Researchers used three groups of older adults, classified by peak oxygen consumption. They compared the ability of the participants in each group to maintain core temperature and rest/activity cycles. The study also monitored sleep and tested participant’s skills in a car simulator.

Participants with higher levels of peak oxygen, representing physical capacity, had less restlessness at night and better simulated driving skills during the day.


Topics: Activities , Clinical