Effect of brief stretching exercises on improvement of sleep-related problems

2012 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22500651
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Applied health science
• Research Institution: 公益財団法人明治安田厚生事業団 (2012); Physical Fitness Research Institute (2010-2011)
• Principal Investigator: NAGAMATSU Toshiya 公益財団法人明治安田厚生事業団, 体力医学研究所, 所長 (60450748)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): KITABATAKE Yoshinori 埼玉県立大学, 保健医療福祉学部, 准教授 (00450750) ; SENSUI Hiroomi 公益財団法人明治安田厚生事業団体力医学研究所, 副主任研究員 (30450753)
• Project Period (FY): 2010 – 2012
• Keywords: ストレッチ / 睡眠 / 体温 / ストレス / コルチゾール / 気分

Research Abstract

We previously reported that exercise training was effective in promoting the improvement of sleep-related problems. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect remain unclear. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the effects of brief stretching exercises on physiological and psychological responses in relation to sleep. First, we examined changes in core temperature, stress, and mood states in response to acute exercise, as peripheral heat dissipation at bedtime after a rise in core temperature of less than 0.5・C has been reported to facilitate sleep onset. A suitable rise in core temperature was achieved after stretching, and stress response and mood also improved with stretching. Next, we examined the effect of stretching exercises on sleep in middle-aged women with mild sleep disorder. A decrease in stress response was observed during sleep. In conclusion, performance of brief stretching exercises may promote the improvement of sleep-related problems by creating beneficial physiological and psychological responses.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] 低強度・短時間のストレッチ運動が深部体温、ストレス反応、および気分に及ぼす影響 (2012)
  • Author(s): 永松俊哉, 北畠義典, 泉水宏臣
  • Journal Title: 体力研究 Volume: 110 Pages: 1-7
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] 短時間ストレッチ運動が睡眠およびストレス反応に及ぼす影響 (2012)
  • Author(s): 永松俊哉, 甲斐裕子
  • Organizer: 第67回日本体力医学会
  • Place of Presentation: 岐阜
  • Year and Date: 20120914-16
• [Presentation] Effect of low-intensity stretch exercise on rectal temperature, stress, and mood in middle-aged women in Japan (2012)
  • Author(s): Nagamatsu, T., Kitabatake, Y., Sensui, H
  • Organizer: 17th Annual Congress of the ECSS
  • Place of Presentation: Bruges. Belgium
  • Year and Date: 20120704-07
• [Presentation] The relationship exercise habits and sleep in the person who underwent the health checkup (2011)
  • Author(s): Kitabatake, Y., Nagamatsu, T., Yoshida, H., Iida, H., Suzuki, Y., Tanaka, K., Ishijima, H., Hasegawa, C., Ihara, K
  • Organizer: World Sleep
  • Place of Presentation: Kyoto. Japan
  • Year and Date: 20111015-16
• [Presentation] 短時間ストレッチ運動が中高年女性の深部体温およびストレス反応に及ぼす影響 (2011)
  • Author(s): 永松俊哉, 北畠義典, 泉水宏臣
  • Organizer: 第66回日本体力医学会
  • Place of Presentation: 山口
  • Year and Date: 20110916-18
• [Remarks]
  • URL: http://www.my-zaidan.or.jp/tai-ken/