Effects of Light Physical Exercise on Sleep in Middle-Aged Rats

Effects of acute physical exercise in the light phase of sleep in rats with temporal lobe epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to investigate the influence of an acute exercise session on sleep pattern in rats with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

METHODS

Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: control (C); acute exercise (EX); epilepsy (E) and epilepsy acute exercise (EEX). Two sleep electrocorticography recordings were performed during the light phase [baseline and day 2 (after the acute physical exercise session)]. After baseline recording, the exercise groups (EX and EEX) were submitted to an exercise session on a motor-driven treadmill at 12m/min for 30min. Twelve hours later, the rats were submitted to the second sleep recording.

RESULTS

At baseline, the E group showed a higher wakefulness and a lower Total sleep time, Slow Wave Sleep and REM sleep compared with the C group. After acute exercise, there was an increase in Total sleep time and Slow Wave Sleep and a decrease of wakefulness in EEX (+11.10%, +20.29% and -11.25%, respectively) and EX (+5.20%, +11.60% and -8.12%, respectively) groups.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that acute physical exercise positively impacts the sleep pattern of rats with TLE, inducing a more consolidated sleep.

Qualidade de sono, atividade física durante o tempo de lazer e esforço físico no trabalho entre trabalhadores noturnos de uma indústria cerâmica

Este estudo teve o objetivo de verificar a relação entre qualidade do sono e atividade física durante o tempo de lazer entre trabalhadores noturnos com um elevado esforço físico no trabalho (média de 14.245; DP 3.456 kcal/semana). Também foi avaliada a relação entre a qualidade do sono e o nível do esforço físico no trabalho. Um total de 19 trabalhadores noturnos de uma indústria cerâmica respondeu o índice da qualidade do sono de Pittsburgh (PSQI) e o questionário internacional da atividade física (IPAQ). Foi calculado o dispêndio calórico total por semana para cada trabalhador através do equivalente metabólico (METs). Os trabalhadores foram distribuídos em dois grupos, de acordo com os escores do PSQI. Foi realizada a análise descritiva dos dados por meio de médias, valores mínimo e máximo, proporções e desvios-padrão. A relação entre qualidade do sono e atividade física foi avaliada pelo teste Mann-Whitney. O grupo de qualidade do sono ruim mostrou nível mais elevado de gasto energético no trabalho que o outro grupo, o que sugere uma relação entre gasto energético no trabalho e qualidade de sono. Distúrbios do sono e sonolência diurna também contribuíram para a qualidade de sono ruim. Esses resultados, embora preliminares, revelam uma tendência de que o elevado esforço físico no trabalho noturno contribui para baixa qualidade de sono.

An Investigation of the Role of Non–Work-Time Behavior in Buffering the Effects of Work Strain

OBJECTIVE

In this exploratory study, we investigated the extent to which common leisure time behaviors, which generate positive feelings of fulfillment and personal reward, are significant in alleviating work-induced stress between successive work periods. We tested the hypotheses that such activities increase recovery from stress directly, and also by improving sleep quality, thereby alleviating maladaptive outcomes from work strain.

METHOD

An on-line survey study was completed by a heterogeneous sample of 314 workers in diverse occupations, in good health.

RESULTS

Non-work-time behaviors play a significant role in mediating maladaptive outcomes from work strain. Multivariate analysis of these relationships indicates both direct and indirect effects, the latter being associated with mediating sleep quality. Respondents reporting higher levels of active leisure activities, exercise, and creative (hobby) and social activity, reported significantly better sleep, recovery between work periods, and lower chronic maladaptive fatigue symptomology.

CONCLUSION

Active and fulfilling non-work-time behaviors are more significant in maximizing recovery from work strain than is commonly recognized. This effect is arguably due to the downregulation of stress-induced brain arousal, and stimulation of the pleasure-reward brain neurophysiology. Consistent recovery from work strain between work periods may represent a crucial factor in avoiding work-related "loss spirals" leading to maladaptive health outcomes, which can be particularly relevant to workers in inherently stressful occupations.