Many people get used to this routine and are able to get a good night’s sleep, even when they exercise close to bedtime. In fact, this can be a good strategy to start an exercise routine, for those who can’t do it at other times.
The point of concern, according to Al-Rabahi, is if these individuals begin to complain of insomnia or suffer from excessive sleepiness during the day, for example. In these cases, it is advisable to see a doctor.
“During the evaluation, we will investigate the different causes of insomnia, and ultimately, we can explain that the physical exercise the person does right before going to bed may be an obstacle in their path,” says the pulmonologist.
According to the doctor, what hinders restorative sleep at night, more than the total time, is the number of “micro-awakenings,” or those brief moments when sleep is interrupted. Although the study found no effect of these awakenings, they activate the central nervous system without the person realizing that they have woken up.
It commonly occurs in those who suffer from apnea, restless legs syndrome, or other sleep disorders.
“If someone sleeps eight hours a night, but has 50 micro-awakenings an hour, their sleep quality may be worse than that of someone who sleeps six hours without waking up, for example,” the doctor explains.
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