title: Exercising, sleep-EEG patterns, and psychological functioning are related among adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lay and scientific opinion alike hold that physical activity is efficient as both remedy and preventative measure for poor sleep. There is evidence that strenuous exercising of adolescent elite athletes leads to favourable sleep patterns. However, research on this in non-elite athletes is limited. The aim of the present study was to compare sleep-EEG patterns of higher leisure time exercisers and controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total 38 adolescents (M = 18.59) took part in the study; 17 were high, and 21 were low exercisers. Mean weekly exercise duration was 8.5 h for high and 2 h for low exercisers. Sleep-EEG recordings were performed following a day without exercise. Participants also completed questionnaires regarding their psychological functioning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to low exercisers, high exercisers had more slow wave sleep, and less light and REM sleep, higher scores for positive coping and curiosity, and lower scores for depressive symptoms and somatosensory amplification. Multiple regression analyses showed that weekly exercise duration predicted shortened SOL, low number of awakenings, and increased slow wave sleep.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regular, though not necessarily vigorous, exercise is related to improvement in objective sleep patterns and better psychological functioning. Regular physical activity should be promoted and access to sports facilities should be facilitated.
authors.affiliation: Depression and Sleep Research Unit, Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. serge.brand@upkbs.ch
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hatzinger
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pühse
authors.forename: Edith
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Holsboer-Trachsler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004569:Electroencephalography; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology