A new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, examined the relationship between exercise and insomnia in a sample of women.  The researchers found that sleep influenced exercise, but they did not find that exercise improved sleep.  Eleven women, with an average age of about 61, participated in the study.  They all suffered from insomnia and participated in 30 minutes of cardio exercise weekly.  Data was collected continuously for 16 weeks.  The results showed that sleep positively influenced exercise duration, but exercising did not increase sleep in the short-term.  However, by the end of the four months, sleep had improved.

In an analysis of the study, HealthDay concludes that this contradicts a commonly held belief that exercising will improve sleep immediately.  Rather, improvements in sleep as a result of exercise can only be seen over the long-term.  However, it is important to note that poor sleep can lead to lack of exercise, which can create a cycle of poor health habits with insufficient sleep and insufficient physical activity.  If insomniacs can break the cycle and make exercise a part of their routine, it is possible to see long-term improvement.

HealthDay also points out that insomnia is a widespread, variable condition.  There are a variety of different diagnoses associated with insomnia, so it is difficult to say how exercise will improve each of these different types of patients.  The Mayo Clinic describes insomnia as both a difficulty to fall asleep and a difficulty staying asleep.  As a result, the person wakes up without feeling refreshed.  Insomnia impacts their health, work, and quality of life.  To address insomnia, there are behavioral interventions for improving sleep, over-the-counter sleep aids, and prescription medications.

WebMD elaborates, noting that there are two types of insomnia, primary and secondary.  Primary insomnia is the sole condition leading to the sleep difficulties.  Secondary insomnia is a sleep difficulty that is brought on by another underlying health condition, pain, medication, or substance abuse.  Insomnia may be acute, which is short-term and tied to changes in life or health, or it may be chronic, which is long-term.

Sleep is an important part of mental and physical well-being, reports the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.  Studies have shown that continuously getting inadequate amounts of sleep can lead to higher risks for kidney disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and obesity.  It is important to ensure adequate sleep in order to support brain functioning and emotional well-being, both necessary for enhancing daytime performance.