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.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to verify the effect of eight weeks of resistance training (RT) on subjective sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and quality of life in adults with OSA.

Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 25 adults with moderate to severe OSA (age: 54.6 ± 7.2 years; BMI: 36.1 ± 7.9 kg/m²; apnea-hypopnea index: 52.2 ± 27.4 events/hour) were included. Participants were randomized into an RT group (three sessions per week) or a control group [CG (two sessions per week)]. Sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and quality of life were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), SF-36, respectively. Generalized estimated equations verified differences between groups over time.

Results: Differences were observed in domains sleep latency (RT: Δ -1.0 ± 0.3 vs. CG: 0.2 ± 0.2; p = 0.018), sleep duration (RT: Δ -0.6 ± 0.3 vs. CG: -0.2 ± 0.2; p = 0.012), sleeping medication (RT: Δ -0.2 ± 0.1 vs. CG: 0.8 ± 0.3; p = 0.007), and overall PSQI score (RT: Δ -3.2 ± 0.6 vs. CG: 0.2 ± 0.8; p = 0.004). Regarding SF-36, differences were found in emotional aspects (RT: Δ 29.6 ± 14.8 vs. CG: -17.9 ± 10.0; p = 0.008) and global score (RT: Δ 10.8 ± 3.3 vs. CG: -3.4 ± 3.1; p = 0.002) were observed. No difference was observed in ESS.

Conclusion: An eight-week RT program improves subjective sleep quality and quality of life in adults with moderate to severe OSA. Clinical trial registration (Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry [ReBec]): # RBR-2rg97kz. Date of registration: 01/17/2025.