The Relationship Between Physical Activity Levels and Fatigue, Sleep Quality, and Sleepiness in University Students

Öz

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between physical activity (PA) level and sleep quality, fatigue, and sleepiness in university students. A cross-sectional design was employed between March and June 2024. Data from 216 students aged 18–25 years (mean age: 20.84 ± 1.62) who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. PA level was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Fatigue was evaluated with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS; ≥36 indicating significant fatigue), sleep quality with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI; ≥5 indicating poor sleep quality), and sleepiness with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS; ≥10 indicating increased sleepiness). Descriptive statistics were calculated for continuous variables. Associations between PA level and categorical outcomes were tested using Pearson’s chi-square test, while relationships among total scale scores were examined using Spearman’s rank correlation. A significant relationship was found between PA level and sleep quality (χ²(2)=12.653; p=.002; Cramér’s V=.242) and fatigue (χ²(2)=24.025; p<.001; Cramér’s V=.334), and higher PA level was also found to be associated with better sleep quality and lower fatigue. The relationship between sleepiness and PA level was statistically significant but of small effect size (χ²(2)=6.895; p=.032; Cramér’s V=.179). Spearman analysis showed small-to-moderate negative correlations between total PA and PSQI and FSS total scores (ρ=−0.239 to −0.305; p<.001), and a small negative correlation with ESS total score (ρ=−0.179; p=.008). In conclusion, higher physical activity levels in university students were found to be associated with better sleep quality and lower fatigue level. These findings suggest that promoting physical activity may serve as a supportive strategy for addressing sleep- and fatigue-related problems in young adults.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Exercise
• Fatigue
• Sleep
• Sleepiness
• Young Adult

Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Fiziksel Aktivite Düzeyleri ile Yorgunluk, Uyku Kalitesi ve Uykululuk Arasındaki İlişki

Öz

Bu çalışmanın amacı, üniversite öğrencilerinde fiziksel aktivite (FA) düzeyi ile uyku kalitesi, yorgunluk ve uykululuk arasındaki ilişkilerin incelenmesidir. Çalışma, Mart–Haziran 2024 tarihleri arasında yürütülen kesitsel bir araştırmadır. Dahil edilme ölçütlerini karşılayan 18-25 yaş aralığında (20,84±1,62 yıl) 216 öğrencinin verisi analiz edildi. FA düzeyi Uluslararası Fiziksel Aktivite Anketi-Kısa Form (IPAQ-SF) ile yorgunluk düzeyi Yorgunluk Şiddet Ölçeği (FSS; ≥36=önemli yorgunluk) ile, uyku kalitesi Pittsburgh Uyku Kalitesi İndeksi (PSQI; ≥5=kötü uyku) ile ve uykululuk ise Epworth Uykululuk Ölçeği (ESS; ≥10=artmış uykululuk) ile değerlendirildi. Sürekli değişkenler için tanımlayıcı istatistikler hesaplandı. FA düzeyi ile kategorik değişkenler arasındaki ilişkiler Pearson Ki-kare testi ile ölçeklerin toplam puanları arasındaki ilişkiler ise Spearman korelasyonu ile analiz edildi. FA düzeyi ile uyku kalitesi (χ²(2)=12,653; p=,002; Cramér’s V=,242) ve yorgunluk (χ²(2)=24,025; p<,001; V=,334) arasında anlamlı ilişki saptandı ve ayrıca daha yüksek fiziksel aktivite düzeyi daha iyi uyku kalitesi ve daha düşük yorgunlukla ilişkili bulundu. Uykululuk ile fiziksel aktivite düzeyi arasındaki ilişki istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ancak küçük etkili bulundu (χ²(2)=6,895; p=,032; V=,179). Spearman analizi, toplam FA ile PSQI ve FSS toplam puanları arasında küçük–orta düzeyde (ρ=−0,239 ila −0,305; p<,001) ve ESS toplam puanı ile küçük düzeyde (ρ=−0,179; p=,008) negatif korelasyonlar gösterdi. Sonuç olarak, üniversite öğrencilerinde daha yüksek fiziksel aktivite düzeyi, daha iyi uyku kalitesi ve daha düşük yorgunluk düzeyi ile ilişkili olarak bulundu. Bu bulgular, genç erişkinlerde uyku ve yorgunlukla ilgili sorunların yönetiminde fiziksel aktivitenin destekleyici bir hedef olarak ele alınabileceğini düşündürmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Egzersiz
• Genç erişkin
• Uyku
• Uykululuk
• Yorgunluk

Kaynakça

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