EXERCISE OR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: WHICH IS MORE STRONGLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE PERCEPTION OF SLEEP QUALITY BY ADOLESCENTS?

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the association of exercises and physical activity with the perception of sleep quality by adolescents.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional epidemiological survey with statewide coverage, whose sample was composed of 6,261 adolescents (14-19 years old) who were selected by random sampling of conglomerates. The Global School-Based Student Health Survey questionnaire was used for data collection. The chi-square test and the binary logistic regression were applied for data analyses.

RESULTS

In the sample, 29% of adolescents did not exercise and were not classified as physically active. Adolescents who did not exercise were more likely to present a negative perception of sleep quality (OR 1.13, 95%CI 1.04-1.28, p=0.043). No association between the level of physical activity and the perception of sleep quality was found (OR 1.01, 95%CI 0.89-1.14, p=0.868). Those who practiced exercises only had less chance of perceiving sleep quality as poor (OR 0.82, 95%CI 0.71-0.95). However, those who practiced exercise and had a physically active life had less chances of having a negative perception of their sleep (OR 0.79, 95%CI 0.68-0.93).

CONCLUSIONS

Practicing physical activity alone was not enough to increase the chances of positive sleep quality perception. Only physical exercise had a positive association with sleep quality perception.