Analysis on the Application of Exercise in Resolving Increased Sleep-Onset Latency

Abstract

As insufficient sleep has been coined a “public health epidemic” by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), interventions should be executed as to ease the global crisis. Currently, considerable accounts of research have been done using various outcome measures as to help put a stop to the health crisis. Moreover, a decrease in sleep quality and times is often times caused by the delay in overall sleep-onset latency. Exercise and sleep are thought to be interconnected, however, uncertainty is present around the debate of whether or not exercise may affect sleep-onset latency. This article examines the various accounts of research done on the topic by analyzing current studies through literature review, attempting to form a comprehensive and thorough conclusion based on current findings, while simultaneously introducing the severity, background and biological basis behind the issue to provide further insight on the correlation between exercise and sleep-onset latency. However, conflicting results and conclusions were found, most likely due to multivariate aims, creating a variety of contrasting variables such as differing demographics, settings, and outcome measures. Nonetheless, through compilation of various sources, new insight can be made regarding how an increase in sleep-onset latency can be combated with consideration of definitive demographics and settings. Moreover, while a generalization can not be made based on the research conducted in this article, exercise can still be utilized and applied in specific circumstances.