1Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute, K R Fort Road, Bengaluru
2Post-Graduate Student, Department of Physiology, Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute, K R Fort Road, Bengaluru
Sleep is not only a restorative process which allows the mind and body to rest, but it is also a dynamic activity during which processes vital to health and wellbeing take place. Much of the literature features the effect of swimming on skeletal and cardiovascular health which is certainly an acknowledgement of the importance of swimming on health. But effect of swimming on quality of sleep is untested and there is often insufficient information related to it. Hence this study was taken up to evaluate the effect of swimming on sleep.
A total of 60 swimmers (regular swimming for at least 30 minutes for 4 times/week from past 2 years) and 60 non swimmers in the age group of 20–40 years who were recruited after considering eligibility criteria were tested for pattern and quality of sleep using PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) questionnaire
Results were statistically analysed using student's ‘t ’test. PSQI score was found to be statistically significant between swimmers and non-swimmers (P value is <0.05). Swimmers had better quality of sleep in terms of sleep latency, duration, and efficiency compared to non-swimmers
Swimming has a beneficial effect on sleep. Swimmers were found to have better pattern and quality of sleep than non-swimmers.
Sleep quality, Swimming, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
