Sedentary behavior is associated with poor sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic, and physical activity mitigates its adverse effects

Abstract

Background We aimed to evaluate the association of sedentary behavior (SB) and moderate to vigorous leisure-time physical activity (MVPA) with sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Cross-sectional, population-based study in adults, conducted from October to December 2020 in the Iron Quadrangle region, Brazil. The outcome was sleep quality, evaluated with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. SB was assessed by self-report of total sitting time, before and during the pandemic. Individuals with ≥ 9 h of total sitting time were classified as SB. In addition, the ratio of time spent in MVPA to time in SB was analyzed. A contrasted directed acyclic graph (DAG) model was constructed to adjust logistic regression models. Results A total of 1629 individuals were evaluated, the prevalence of SB before the pandemic was 11.3% (95%CI: 8.6–14.8), and during the pandemic 15.2% (95%CI: 12.1–18.9). In multivariate analysis, the chance of poor sleep quality was 77% higher in subjects with SB ≥ 9 h per day (OR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.02–2.97). Furthermore, a one-hour increase in SB during the pandemic, increased the chance of poor sleep quality by 8% (OR: 1.08; 95%CI 1.01–1.15). In the analysis of the ratio of MVPA per SB in individuals with SB ≥ 9 h, practicing 1 min of MVPA per hour of SB reduces the chance of poor sleep quality by 19% (OR: 0.84; 95%CI: 0.73–0.98). Conclusion SB during the pandemic was a factor associated with poor sleep quality, and the practice of MVPA can reduce the effects of SB. Graphical Abstract

Poor Sleep Quality and Working From Home Influence the Prevalence of Leisure Time Physical Inactivity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Thus, some studies suggest increasing PA for each hour of sitting. Menezes-Júnior et al 77 (2023) and Chastin et al 78 (2021) provided evidence that doing 2.5 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA per hour of SD can reduce the chance of poor sleep quality and all-cause mortality. Confirming this finding, approximately 60 to 75 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous PA seem to eliminate the increased risk of death associated with long time sitting 79 .…”

Effects of a physical activity promotion programme on body composition in emerging adults with physical inactivity: a study protocol of a randomised controlled trial

“… 12 Possible mechanisms for this include the effects of physical inactivity on poorer sleep quality. 13 Poor sleep, in turn, impairs cognitive functions such as memory, attention and executive functions. 14 …”