Early bedtimes are associated with more physical activity

A recent study conducted by Monash University has revealed that going to bed earlier than usual can have a positive impact on physical activity levels the following day. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explored the correlation between sleep duration, sleep timing, and daily physical activity.

The study involved nearly 20,000 participants who wore a biometric device called WHOOP for a year, generating data from almost six million nights. The researchers analyzed objective sleep and physical activity metrics collected from the wrist-worn device to understand how sleep habits and nightly variations in sleep affected physical activity levels.

The results showed that individuals who went to bed earlier tended to engage in more physical activity. For instance, those with a typical bedtime of around 9 pm reported approximately 30 more minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day compared to those who stayed up until 1 am regularly. Even in comparison to individuals with a typical bedtime of 11 pm, the early sleepers logged nearly 15 extra minutes of daily physical activity.

Lead author Dr. Josh Leota highlighted the implications of these findings, suggesting that late bedtimes could hinder physical activity under traditional work schedules. He pointed out that evening types might experience social jetlag, poor sleep quality, and increased daytime sleepiness, all of which can reduce motivation and opportunities for physical activity.

The study also investigated whether individuals could modify this relationship actively. The researchers discovered that when people went to bed earlier than their usual bedtime but maintained their regular sleep duration, they exhibited the highest levels of physical activity the next day.

Dr. Leota emphasized the significance of these findings for public health, proposing that promoting earlier bedtimes could naturally encourage more active lifestyles. He suggested a holistic approach that recognizes the interplay between sleep and physical activity to improve individual and community health outcomes.

An additional validation study involving nearly 6,000 participants from the All of Us Research Program, utilizing Fitbit data, reaffirmed these findings across diverse populations. Senior author Dr. Elise Facer-Childs underscored the strong connection between sleep timing and physical activity, emphasizing the critical roles of both factors in maintaining overall health.

Dr. Facer-Childs concluded that getting to sleep earlier while maintaining the same sleep duration could enhance the likelihood of increasing physical activity the following day. These insights shed light on the intricate relationship between sleep and physical activity, offering valuable guidance for promoting healthier lifestyles.