An eight-week resistance training program improves subjective sleep quality and quality of life in adults with moderate to severe OSA, with no difference in excessive daytime sleepiness.
Eight weeks of resistance training improved overall subjective sleep quality (PSQI global score) compared with the control group in adults with moderate to severe OSA.
Resistance training reduced PSQI sleep latency scores relative to the control group.
Resistance training reduced the PSQI sleep duration component score relative to the control group.
The PSQI sleeping medication component decreased in the RT group and increased in the control group.
Resistance training improved the SF-36 emotional aspects domain and the SF-36 global score relative to the control group.
Resistance training did not produce a difference in excessive daytime sleepiness as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
The study sample consisted of middle-aged adults with obesity and moderate to severe OSA, and this was a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.
This study looked at whether an eight-week strength-training program could help people with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep. Twenty-five adults, on average in their mid-50s and with obesity, were randomly assigned to either resistance training three times a week or to a control group that did two sessions per week. Participants filled out questionnaires about their sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and quality of life. The group that did resistance training reported better overall sleep quality. They took less time to fall asleep, had better scores for sleep duration, and used less sleeping medication, while the control group's medication use went up. Their quality-of-life scores also improved, especially for emotional aspects and the overall score, while the control group's scores slightly worsened. However, daytime sleepiness as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale did not differ between the groups. This research suggests that strength training may be a useful way to improve how people with OSA feel about their sleep and daily life. The study was small and based on self-reported questionnaires, and it was a secondary analysis of a larger trial, so the results should be confirmed in larger studies.
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Upload Your Labsde Almeida J, da Silva Ferreira D, de Arantes Lima V, Dos Santos E, Dos Santos de Oliveira Silva N, Aguiar J, et al.. (2026). Effects of resistance training on subjective sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial.. Sleep & breathing = Schlaf & Atmung. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-026-03842-5