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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2024

Open Access 01-12-2024 | Addiction | Research

The relationship between nighttime exercise and problematic smartphone use before sleep and associated health issues: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Yuqin Su, Hansen Li, Sijia Jiang, Yaqi Li, Yun Li, Guodong Zhang

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Objective

Physical exercise has the potential to mitigate addictive behaviors and relevant health issues. However, the nighttime exercise has not been studied regarding this research topic. This study aims to explore the association between nocturnal physical exercise and problematic smartphone use before sleep, as well as related health issues.

Methods

To explore the association between nighttime physical exercise and problematic smartphone use before sleep as well as related health issues, we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 1,334 college students. Their daily exercise behaviors (including timeframe, rationale, frequency, and duration), smartphone use before sleep, sleep quality, smartphone addiction, anxiety, and depression were measured by questionnaires. The associations were assessed using generalized linear models.

Results

Our findings indicate that nearly 70% of participants chose to perform exercise at nighttime. Among these individuals who exercised at nighttime, the frequency and duration of nighttime exercise were significantly associated with decreased probabilities of smartphone use before sleep. Additionally, the frequency and duration of nighttime exercise were associated with lower levels of smartphone addiction and anxiety disorders.

Conclusion

Nighttime Exercise behaviors can effectively reduce sleep delays caused by problematic smartphone use before bedtime. These findings contribute to understanding the potential effects of nighttime exercise on problematic smartphone use and relevant health issues. Future research should employ more precise methodologies to examine these associations.
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Metadata
Title
The relationship between nighttime exercise and problematic smartphone use before sleep and associated health issues: a cross-sectional study
Authors
Yuqin Su
Hansen Li
Sijia Jiang
Yaqi Li
Yun Li
Guodong Zhang
Publication date
01-12-2024
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18100-0

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