Lack of sleep negates cognitive benefits of exercise

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People who take regular physical exercise but suffer from a lack of sleep may be negating the benefits of their activity, according to a study published today.

A study by researchers at University College London, UK, looked at cognitive function over 10 years in 8,958 people aged 50 and over in England.

It found individuals who were more physically active but had less than six hours’ sleep on average had faster overall cognitive decline.

Writing in Lancet Healthy Longevity, the researchers say this meant that after 10 years their cognitive function was equivalent to peers who did less physical activity.

Lead author Dr Mikaela Bloomberg, of UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, said: “Our study suggests that getting sufficient sleep may be required for us to get the full cognitive benefits of physical activity. It shows how important it is to consider sleep and physical activity together when thinking about cognitive health.