The Effect of Walking on Quality, Quantity and Some Physiological Parameters Related to Sleep in Old Men

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of a walking (8wk) training program on quality, quantity and some physiological parameters related to sleep in old men. Twenty elderly healthy men (age 72.4?7.24 years, height: 163.59?6.11 cm, weight 68.31?9.19kg) were selected randomly and were divided into two groups [walking (n=10) and control (n=10)]. The walking group exercised for eight weeks, three sessions each week and each session 30-45 minutes. The intensity of the exercise was 60-75% of HRR on treadmill. To determine sleep quality, participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before and after the eight weeks of aerobic training, and the quantity of sleep was examined by recording the duration of night sleep of the subjects. The physiological parameters related to sleep (TG, TC, HDL) were also measured before and after the eight weeks of training program. The results showed that sleep quality of subjects in walking group improved 31% and the sleep quantity increased by 45 minutes (P<0.05), and HDL and TC improved significantly in the walking group (p<0.05). Independent t – test showed a significant difference in sleep quality and sleep quantity between the two groups (P<0.05). However, there was no relationship between the quality and quantity changes of sleep to changes of physiological variables related to sleep. Therefore, it can be concluded that eight weeks of walking improved the quality and quantity of sleep along with some physiological parameters related to sleep in older adults and can be a useful way to treat the sleep problems in the elderly.