Nocturnal Activity Is Not Affected by a Long-Duration, Low-Intensity Single Exercise Bout
by
Georgia I. Mitrou 1, Christoforos D. Giannaki 2,*
, Christina Karatzaferi 1,3, Georgios M. Hadjigeorgiou 4, Eleftherios Lavdas 5, Maria D. Maridaki 6, Ioannis Stefanidis 7 and Giorgos K. Sakkas 1,3
Georgia I. Mitrou 1, Christoforos D. Giannaki 2,*, Christina Karatzaferi 1,3, Georgios M. Hadjigeorgiou 4, Eleftherios Lavdas 5, Maria D. Maridaki 6, Ioannis Stefanidis 7 and Giorgos K. Sakkas 1,3
1
School of PE and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 42100 Trikala, Greece
2
Department of Life and Health Sciences, University of Nicosia, Nicosia CY1700, Cyprus
3
Faculty of Sport, Health and Wellbeing, University of St Mark & St John, Plymouth PL68BH, UK
4
Medical School, University of Cyprus, Nicosia CY1678, Cyprus
5
Department of Radiology, University of West Attica, 12210 Athens, Greece
6
Department of PE and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17237 Athens, Greece
7
School of Health Science, Department of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41500 Larissa, Greece
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Sports 2019, 7(3), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7030056
Received: 6 November 2018 / Revised: 15 February 2019 / Accepted: 25 February 2019 / Published: 1 March 2019
The aim of the current study was to examine whether prolonged low-intensity aerobic exercise could affect nocturnal activity in healthy individuals. Twenty-one healthy adults (24 ± 3.7 years; 9 females) were enrolled in this study. All participants participated in a 3-h low-intensity walking exercise protocol. Standard biochemical indices were assessed before the exercise protocol and at 72 h. Nocturnal activity and various indices of health were recorded for five consecutive days. The score of muscle pain peaked the night after the exercise protocol (p < 0.05) and returned to baseline two days after. No statistical differences were found in any of the parameters examined, including nocturnal activity. Prolonged low-intensity exercise does not affect nocturnal activity. The anecdotal reports suggesting that exercise or/and physical activity could worsen symptoms of motor restlessness during sleep in sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements, are not supported by this study. However, these findings need to be verified in clinical populations, as well as by using protocols with different forms of exercise.
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Keywords:
sleep; exercise; restlessness; fatigue; periodic limb movements
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MDPI and ACS Style
Mitrou, G.I.; Giannaki, C.D.; Karatzaferi, C.; Hadjigeorgiou, G.M.; Lavdas, E.; Maridaki, M.D.; Stefanidis, I.; Sakkas, G.K. Nocturnal Activity Is Not Affected by a Long-Duration, Low-Intensity Single Exercise Bout. Sports 2019, 7, 56.
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