Table 1 Exercise effects on the body and sleep

From: The impact of exercise on sleep and sleep disorders

Exercise

Body Effects

Sleep Effects

Regular (moderate-intensity aerobic)

• Increase GH, decrease IR91,170

• Increase Tc171

• Decrease vagal activity171

• Decrease PGE2, TNFα172

• Potentially increase melatonin171

• Increase level of BDNF171

Increase SWS

Increase total sleep time173

Acute (moderate-intensity aerobic)

• Increase GH, decrease IR174,175

• Increase Tc171

• Inhibit vagal activity176

Increase SWS

Increase total sleep time173,177

  1. BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor, GH growth hormone, IR insulin resistance, PGE2 prostaglandin E2, SWS slow wave sleep, Tc body core temperature, TNFα tumor necrosis factor-alpha.
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