Study Reveals Sleep Quality Crucial for Daily Activity Levels

A new study conducted by researchers at Flinders University highlights a significant challenge many individuals face in achieving optimal health through sleep and physical activity. Analyzing over 28 million days of health data from more than 70,000 participants worldwide, the research indicates that less than 13% of individuals consistently meet the recommended benchmarks for both sleep and physical activity. The findings, published in the journal Communications Medicine, suggest that enhancing sleep quality could be key to increasing daily physical activity.

The research team examined data collected over three and a half years, utilizing consumer health devices that monitored nightly sleep and daily steps. Alarmingly, nearly 17% of participants averaged less than seven hours of sleep and fewer than 5,000 steps each day. This combination has been linked to increased risks of chronic diseases, weight gain, and mental health challenges.

Sleep Quality Influences Daily Activity

Lead author Josh Fitton, a Ph.D. candidate at FHMRI Sleep Health, emphasized the findings’ implications. “We found that getting a good night’s sleep—especially high-quality sleep—sets you up for a more active day,” he stated. The study revealed that individuals who enjoy better sleep tend to engage in more physical activity the following day. Conversely, increasing daily steps does not necessarily improve sleep quality that night. Fitton noted, “This highlights the importance of sleep if we want to boost physical activity.”

Interestingly, the research identified that the optimal sleep duration for encouraging increased next-day activity is around six to seven hours per night. This duration correlates with the highest step counts the following day. Fitton cautioned against reducing sleep time, stressing that sleep quality plays a crucial role. “People who slept more efficiently—spending less time tossing and turning—were consistently more active,” he added.

Reevaluating Health Guidelines

The findings prompt a reevaluation of current health guidelines. Fitton pointed out the difficulty many people face in balancing active lifestyles with adequate sleep. “Only a tiny fraction of people can achieve both recommended sleep and activity levels every day,” he said. This raises questions about the practicality of existing health recommendations and underscores the need for strategies that support individuals in meeting these guidelines.

Senior author Professor Danny Eckert highlighted that for those juggling work, family, and other responsibilities, prioritizing sleep might be a vital first step toward a healthier lifestyle. “Prioritizing sleep could be the most effective way to boost your energy, motivation, and capacity for movement,” he remarked. Simple adjustments, such as reducing screen time before bed, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and creating a calming sleep environment, can significantly improve sleep quality.

The conclusion drawn from this research is clear: sleep is not merely a passive state but an active contributor to an individual’s ability to lead a healthy and active life.

For further details, the study titled “Bidirectional associations between sleep and physical activity investigated using large-scale objective monitoring data” can be accessed in Communications Medicine, published in 2025.