More active teens report fewer sleep problems down the line, new study reveals
Pulling an all-nighter before a test or assignment deadline is almost a teenage rite of passage, but scientists are concerned that these exceptions are becoming a regular habit. Insomnia symptoms during adolescence are linked to a range of adverse health and developmental outcomes. Studies have found that physical activity can be a good antidote to sleep issues, but can it help ease adolescent…
A new study published in Sleep Health reveals that active teenagers are less likely to experience sleep problems in the future. Insomnia symptoms during adolescence are associated with a range of negative health outcomes. Researchers investigated whether physical activity could help alleviate adolescent insomnia by tracking 1,988 Chinese middle school students, aged 13 to 14, over a three-month period.
The study found that teenagers who were more physically active reported fewer insomnia symptoms six months later, while poor sleep did not predict a decrease in activity. Exercise also led to a decrease in unhelpful mental habits like rumination and catastrophizing, which can worsen sleep quality. These findings suggest that encouraging physical activity in teenagers may help improve sleep quality and overall well-being.
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