Associations Between Older Adult Physical Activity Levels, Self-Efficacy for Exercise and Sleep Habits

Motivation for exercise and engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviors (physically active, quality sleep, etc.) may help reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases, especially in older adults. Self-efficacy for exercise (SEE), performing regular physical activity (PA) and maintaining healthy sleep habits, often lead to positive health benefits. PURPOSE: To assess the relationships between SEE, PA levels and sleep quality/quantity in older adults. METHODS: Older adults (N = 60, age; 71.2 土 8.8 years, female; n = 42 and male; n = 18), were recruited for an IRB-approved cross-sectional research study conducted in spring, 2024. The survey (Qualtrics) consisted of demographic (age, gender, ethnicity, etc.) and lifestyle behavior questions. Total minutes spent weekly in PA and at various levels (vigorous, moderate, or at low/walking levels) were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), by Craig et al. (2003). A 9-item motivation/SEE measure using a 10-point Likert scale (90 point scale total, Resnick et al. 2000) and two questions for sleep habits (quality; excellent = 0, very good = 1, good = 2, fair = 3 and poor = 4 and quantity; total hours per night) were included. The data was analyzed using a Spearman Rank Order Correlation analysis in SPSS, version 28 and a p = 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: In those that indicated they were engaging in PA (IPAQ), a significant correlation between SEE and total (rho = 0.670, p = 0.000, n=42) and vigorous (rho = 0.372, p = 0.028, n=35) PA minutes per week was found with a trend towards significance in those that engaged in moderate PA minutes per week (rho = 0.265, p = 0.090, n=42). Sleep quality correlated with low/walking (rho = -0.484, p = 0.001, n=42), moderate (rho = -0.315, p = 0.042), and total PA minutes per week (rho = -0.557, p = 0.000, n=42). Number of hours sleeping per night and sleep quality were significantly related to age (rho = 0.303, p = 0.020 and rho = 0.315, p = 0.014, n=60; respectively). CONCLUSION: Significant relationships between time spent in PA, their motivation for exercise and the quality of their sleep were noted in older adults. Programs to support an older individual's motivation to exercise and to promote regular physical activity may lead to healthier sleep habits and overall positive health benefits in an aging population.