Is sleep or exercise more important for health?

A recent global study suggests that prioritizing sleep may be even more important than exercise.

Good quality sleep significantly enhances physical performance the following day - Photo: FREEPIK

Research has found that good sleep quality significantly enhances activity levels the following day, while exercise does not consistently improve sleep.

Habits to increase longevity and health

According to the Times of India , the study results do not suggest that physical activity is less important. Regular exercise is absolutely essential for everyone, helping to prevent most diseases, including incurable ones like Alzheimer's, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and many others.

A global study by Flinders University (Australia) suggests that if both cannot be ensured, then sufficient and quality sleep may be more important than exercise, at least for maintaining daily activity and health.

The study analyzed data from over 70,000 people worldwide , tracking sleep and activity levels across more than 28 million days.

Surprisingly, less than 13% of participants simultaneously met both recommended criteria: getting 7-9 hours of sleep and walking at least 8,000 steps per day.

The most striking finding is that sleep quality is a far stronger predictor of a person's activity level the following day, compared to how exercise affects the next night's sleep.

Simply put, a good night's sleep helps people be more active the next day, but increasing your steps or exercising more doesn't guarantee better sleep that same night.

Interestingly, the study identified a "golden period"—sleeping approximately 6-7 hours per night, coupled with good sleep quality—that appears to support peak performance levels the following day. This suggests that sleep is not merely a state of passive rest, but a factor that enables and supports physical activity.

Sleep and exercise support each other.

The research emphasizes that sleep is not just a time to "shut down." While sleeping, the body performs crucial restorative functions such as tissue repair, hormone balancing, and the brain consolidates memories.

Poor sleep or insufficient sleep over a long period is associated with an increased risk of chronic health problems including obesity, heart disease, metabolic disorders, and mental health issues.

Conversely, regular exercise, which has long been recognized as essential for health, also offers numerous benefits such as improved cardiovascular health, support for weight management, and enhanced mood and brain function.

Exercise can also improve sleep quality, as many studies show that people who engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity have better quality sleep, fall asleep faster, and sleep more deeply and soundly.

From this perspective, sleep and exercise support each other in a "positive cycle." Good sleep leads to good performance, while regular activity improves sleep.

What makes the new Flinders University study so compelling is the scale and relevance of the data. Instead of a short-term clinical trial, the data was collected from tens of thousands of people in their daily lives, from work, commuting, sleeping, and traveling. This makes the findings more relatable and relevant to real-world human lifestyles.

The study also challenges a common and long-held notion that we should prioritize exercise for energy, which in turn leads to better sleep. Conversely, the study's data suggests that sleep is fundamental to maintaining stable functioning.

One of the researchers stated that prioritizing sleep could be "the most effective way to boost your energy, motivation, and mobility."

Therefore, the most important conclusion from the study is not to "choose one or the other," but to find the right balance – prioritizing sleep first, then maintaining exercise as part of a holistic healthy lifestyle.

DAWN

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ngu-hay-tap-the-duc-quan-trong-hon-doi-voi-suc-khoe-20251209183722125.htm