Exploring Sex-Specific Relationships Between Sleep Quality And Phase Angle In College Students: Implications For Cellular Health

Sleep quality is crucial for overall health, influencing both physical and mental well-being. Phase angle (PhA), a measure of cellular health derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), is emerging as a potential biomarker in this context. Limited research has explored the relationship between PhA and sleep quality in young adults, especially with a focus on sex differences. PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the relationship between BIA-derived PhA and sleep quality, as assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), among college-aged men and women. METHODS: Healthy young women (n = 132, 21.5 ± 2.3 years, 164.0 ± 6.4 cm, 64.2 ± 12.6 kg) and men (n = 126, 21.6 ± 2.4 years, 176.4 ± 7.9 cm, 80.8 ± 14.5 kg) between 18 and 25 years were recruited from Rowan University. PhA and body composition were measured using BIA. Sleep quality was evaluated with the PSQI, where scores above 5 indicated poor sleep quality. Spearman’s correlations were conducted to assess associations between PhA and PSQI scores, and independent t-tests were used to evaluate sex differences. RESULTS: Men demonstrated a higher PhA (6.9°) compared to women (5.7°; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in sleep quality between women and men (PSQI, p = 0.490), with the majority in both groups reporting poor sleep quality (PSQI >5; women: 66.67%, men: 64.29%). Spearman’s correlations revealed weak, non-significant negative associations between PhA and PSQI scores in both women (r = -0.045, p = 0.607) and men (r = -0.155, p = 0.088). CONCLUSIONS: Although men exhibited significantly higher PhA, the relationship between sleep quality and PhA was weak and not statistically significant in either sex. These findings indicate potential sex differences in PhA, highlighting the need for further research to explore additional factors such as body composition or lifestyle behaviors that may influence the association between sleep quality and cellular health in college-aged populations. This study contributes to the limited research on the relationship between sleep quality and PhA in young adults, offering insights into subtle sex-based differences and supporting the exploration of tailored interventions for improved health outcomes in this demographic.