Does exercising before bed take a negative toll on sleep quality?

Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “However, if the person already has trouble going to sleep, exercise in close proximity to bedtime may worsen the problem.” open image in gallery A National Sleep Foundation study found that working out within four hours before bedtime had no major impact on sleep quality Dr Quan says that while working out can make you feel physically tired, “mentally, you may be revved up. A 2013 study carried out by the National Sleep Foundation found that “while some believe exercising near bedtime can adversely affect sleep and sleep quality”, no major differences were seen in sleep quality between those who had performed “vigorous and/or moderate” exercises within four hours before bedtime. The study, which included 1,000 participants from the United States, found that 17 per cent of people who exercised within four hours before bed enjoyed “very good overall sleep quality”, with 59 per cent having a “fairly good” night’s rest. Meanwhile, 22 per cent of people who exercised more than four hours before bed had “very good” sleep quality, with 58 per cent experiencing a “fairly good” rest.