Study says exercising at least twice a week significantly reduces risk of insomnia

One study shows that exercising at least twice a week can significantly reduce the risk of insomnia.

Research has found that people who exercise regularly are 42% less likely to have trouble falling asleep and 22% less likely to experience any symptoms of insomnia.

Studies have found that those who stay active for a long time are 55% more likely to sleep normally (sleep six to eight hours) than those who do not exercise.

The study, published in the journal BMJ Open, also found that people who exercised were about a third (29%) less likely to have short sleep duration (less than six hours a night).

They were 52% less likely to sleep for long periods of time (more than nine hours a night).

Experts studied data from 4,339 people in nine European countries, with a roughly 50/50 gender split.

They were asked about their exercise habits at the beginning of the study and again ten years later.

They were also asked about any symptoms of insomnia, such as difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, waking up too early, and how long they usually slept.

People who exercise at least twice a week for at least one hour a week are designated as physically active.

Those still at this level 10 years later were classified by the researchers as continuously active (25%), while 37% were found to be persistently inactive.

Norwegians are most likely to be persistently active, while Spanish and Estonians are most likely to be persistently inactive.

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Expert analysis shows that “physically active people have a lower risk of developing certain insomnia symptoms and sleeping too long or too short.”

However, researchers including academics from Imperial College London and Reykjavik University say the benefits of sleep may disappear if people stop exercising.

Huw Edwards, chief executive of ukactive, the physical activity industry trade body, said: “This research shows that physical activity can play an important role in reducing the risk of insomnia and we know that a good night’s sleep can help us feel better and be more productive the next day.”