This study investigates the impact of resistance training (RT) on subjective sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and quality of life in adults diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Conducted as a secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial, the research involved 25 adults aged approximately 54.6 years with moderate to severe OSA.
Participants were divided into two groups: one underwent an eight-week RT program with three sessions per week, while the control group participated in two sessions per week. The assessment of sleep quality was performed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), daytime sleepiness was measured with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and quality of life was evaluated using the SF-36 questionnaire.
The results indicated significant improvements in several areas for the RT group compared to the control group. Notably, sleep latency, sleep duration, and overall PSQI scores showed marked differences. Specifically, the RT group experienced a reduction in sleep latency (Δ -1.0 vs. 0.2), sleep duration (Δ -0.6 vs. -0.2), and overall PSQI score (Δ -3.2 vs. 0.2), with p-values indicating statistical significance (p < 0.05).
In terms of quality of life, the SF-36 results revealed improvements in emotional aspects (Δ 29.6 vs. -17.9) and the global score (Δ 10.8 vs. -3.4), again with significant p-values (p < 0.01). However, no significant difference was observed in excessive daytime sleepiness as measured by the ESS.
What this study does not show
This study does not establish a causal relationship between resistance training and improved sleep quality or quality of life, nor does it address long-term effects beyond the eight-week intervention period.
Evidence scorecard
- Analytic validity: Established
- Clinical validity: Established
- Clinical utility: Established
The evidence is based on a randomized controlled trial involving human participants.