Exercise does not Improve Sleep

SEATTLE, June 9 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers were surprised to find study participants sleeping less on days they exercised.

Lead study author Dr. Arn Eliasson of Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington says results of the study were the opposite of their expectations. Quality of sleep did not improve after days of increased exertion and sleep efficiency did not vary according to the amount of exertion during the day, the study said.

"It has long been recommended, even championed, that getting exercise is part of the recipe for improved sleep. Our data do not support that notion," Eliasson said in a statement.

"The longest sleep and best sleep efficiency occurred after days with low non-exercise exertion -- better rested subjects got less exercise and had less calorie expenditure. After relatively more sleep -- more than six hours -- all measures of exertion decreased."

The study included 14 subjects who wore actigraphy armbands for 23 days. Data regarding total sleep time, sleep efficiency, total energy expenditure, exercise, energy expenditure, non-exercise activity steps and body mass were collected.

Seven subjects had a normal body mass and seven were overweight. Paradoxically, the researchers say, the group considered overweight had a higher total energy expenditure, and took more steps per day.

The study was presented at Sleep, the annual meeting of the Association of Sleep Professionals in Seattle.

SOURCE - http://www.upi.com/health http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Vc41rmR_4

Napping 4-year Olds less Anxious

June 9 (UPI) -- Young children between ages 4-5, who did not nap were found to be more hyperactive and anxious than children who napped.

The study, presented at Sleep (the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies in Seattle) found children who did not take daytime naps had higher levels of: hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression than other children.

The researchers suggest napping may have a significant influence on young children's daytime functioning and should be encouraged.

"There is a lot of individual variability in when children are ready to give up naps," lead study author Brian Crosby of Pennsylvania State University in said in a statement.

"I would encourage parents to include a quiet 'rest' time in their daily schedule that would allow children to nap if necessary."

For the study, caregivers for 62 children reported typical weekday and weekend bedtime/rise time, napping patterns, family demographics, and completed a behavioral assessment of the child. It's possible that there could be some minor consequences to children who aren't given the same amount of rest as normal children their same age. It's too early to tell if sleep deprivation at this age could lead to conditions like A.D.D. and A.D.H.D, but it is known that sleep at this age should be a very important part of their daily routine.