SLEEP QUALITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN OLDER PEOPLE IN TAMAULIPAS, MEXICO

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Sleep quality in older adults is not necessarily affected by age itself but is often associated with behavioral factors such as a lack of physical activity (PA). OBJECTIVE. To examine the relationship between sleep quality and PA in older adults in Tamaulipas, Mexico. METHODOLOGY. This descriptive correlational study included 271 individuals aged 60 and older, selected through convenience sampling. Data collected included age, gender, occupation, and access to a location for PA. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire were also used. Data were gathered in March 2023 and analyzed with SPSS v.20 using non-parametric statistics and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. RESULTS. Participants had a mean age of 67.64 ± 6.15 years, and 52.8% were women. Among participants, 45% were married, 24.4% widowed, 21% single, 5.9% divorced, and 3.7% in a domestic partnership. A total of 61.3% reported poor sleep quality. Regarding PA levels, 44.2% had low activity, 35.1% moderate, and 20.7% high. A significant negative correlation was found between sleep quality and PA (rs =-.258, p = .000). CONCLUSION. The study revealed that poorer sleep quality is associated with lower PA levels. This highlights the importance of health professionals developing strategies to promote and increase PA as a non-pharmacological approach to improve sleep quality in older adults.