The Effectiveness of Regular Exercise on Improving Sleep in Older Adults

Sleep deprivation is a common problem among older adults. It is often at the root of
increased mortality and some psychiatric disorders. Regular participation in a
medium-intensity exercise regimen may help people sleep better. This study will assess the
effectiveness of a regular exercise program on improving sleep in older adults with moderate
difficulty sleeping.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions. One group will partake in a
moderate-intensity physical activity training regimen. The other group will act as a
non-exercise attention-control comparison group. Each group will undergo its assigned
treatment for 12 months. Sleep quantity and quality will be measured objectively using
in-home polysomnography. Subjective sleep quality and health-related quality of life
measures will be evaluated with questionnaires. All measurements will be performed at the
beginning of the study, Month 6, and Month 12.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Moderate difficulty sleeping unrelated to a physical illness or psychopathology
(determined by the Sleep Questionnaire and Assessment of Wakefulness)

- Currently not physically active on a regular basis

- Body mass index less than 38

Exclusion Criteria:

- Currently physically active on a regular basis

- Diagnosed with a clinically significant sleep disorder

- Mild or no sleep complaints (determined by the Sleep Questionnaire and Assessment of
Wakefulness)

- Unstable on medications

- Current smoker

- Consumes more than three alcoholic beverages per day

- Medical condition that may limit participation in moderate-intensity exercise

- Diagnosed with clinical psychopathology