TOPLINE:

Moderate or vigorous levels of leisure-time physical activity were associated with lower odds of sleep problems. Sedentary individuals showed higher odds of sleep issues, irrespective of their stress levels.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey (2021) to examine the link between self-reported leisure-time physical activity and sleep problems.
• A total of 11,346 Danish individuals (mean age, 54 years; 56% women) participated in the study.
• Self-reported sleep issues were assessed using a single-item question regarding sleep difficulties over the past 14 days.
• Leisure-time physical activity was measured using the Saltin and Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale and categorised as moderate or vigorous (strenuous activities, exercise, or heavy gardening for at least 4 hours a week), light (walking or light activities for at least 4 hours a week), or sedentary (reading or watching TV).
• Stress levels were assessed using the Danish version of Cohen's 10-item Perceived Stress Scale, in which participants indicated how often they felt their life was unpredictable and overwhelming in the past month; stress levels were categorised as high or low depending on scores.

TAKEAWAY:

• Participants with moderate or vigorous levels of physical activity had lower odds of sleep problems than those with light levels of physical activity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.81; 95% CI, 0.72-0.91).
• Individuals who were sedentary had increased odds of experiencing sleep problems (aOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.20-1.56).
• High vs low stress levels were associated with increased odds of sleep problems (aOR, 3.43; 95% CI, 3.06-3.83).
• Sedentary leisure time was associated with increased odds of experiencing sleep problems among participants with both high (aOR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.28-2.11) and low (aOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.08-1.47) stress levels.

IN PRACTICE:

"[The study] findings suggest that physical activity may play a protective role in sleep regulation, potentially buffering the negative impact of psychological stress. The results point to a dynamic interaction between physical activity, stress, and sleep, underscoring the relevance of behavioural factors in mitigating stress-related sleep disturbances," the authors wrote. "Our findings highlight the importance of maintaining physical activity levels even during periods of high stress," they added.

SOURCE:

This study was led by Anna P.B. Bjerkén, Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. It was published online on December 16, 2025, in the European Journal of Public Health.

LIMITATIONS:

The cross-sectional design limited the ability to establish causality or temporal relationships between physical activity and sleep problems. Reverse causation and the potential influence of other contributing factors could not be entirely ruled out. Self-reported data might have introduced social desirability bias, potentially leading participants to overestimate their physical activity levels.

DISCLOSURES:

This study did not receive any funding, and the authors declared having no conflicts of interest.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.