Strength Training: The Surprising Key to Better Sleep for Seniors - AI Podcast
Story at-a-glance
- Insomnia affects up to 20% of older adults, causing fatigue, irritability and increasing risks of serious health problems like depression and heart issues
- Researchers analyzed 25 studies involving 2,170 older adults with insomnia to determine which exercise types most effectively improve sleep quality
- Strength training proved most effective for improving sleep, reducing insomnia scores by 5.75 points compared to 3.76 points for aerobic exercise
- Starting with light weights, resistance bands or simple bodyweight exercises two to three times weekly significantly improves sleep quality for seniors
- Combining strength training with good sleep habits like maintaining a dark, cool bedroom and limiting blue light exposure maximizes sleep benefits
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