It is well-documented
that regular exercise can decrease your risk of cardiovascular problems and
improve your general health. But a recent poll by the National Sleep Foundation
indicates that those who exercise also sleep better and experience fewer risk
factors for sleep
apnea.
The National Sleep
Foundation’s 2013 Sleep in America poll surveyed 1,000 adults between the ages
of 23 and 60 who self-reported their levels of physical activity as vigorous,
moderate, light or no activity. Vigorous included activities such as running,
cycling and swimming; moderate included weight lifting, yoga and tai chi; and light
was defined as regular walking.
The survey found that
people who reported their physical activities as vigorous and moderate were
twice as likely to report restful sleep on a regular basis. On the flip side,
symptoms of insomnia were common among those who reported little to no
exercise.
As a group, non-exercisers
reported more symptoms
of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a common and potentially deadly sleep
disorder in which a person’s breathing stops repeatedly during sleep; if not
treated, sleep apnea can increase a person’s risk for heart disease, high blood
pressure, stroke and other severe health complications.
According to the
National Sleep Foundation survey, 44 percent of those who categorized their
exercise routine as “no activity” exhibited at least a moderate risk for sleep
apnea. Only 19 percent of those who listed their activity level as vigorous
demonstrated risk factors for sleep apnea.
Although sleep apnea is
dangerous, it is also treatable. In addition to continuous positive airway
pressure (CPAP) devices, there are a number of comfortable and effective sleep apnea
treatments such as custom-made oral appliances similar to sports
mouthguards.