Higher levels of physical activity can reduce obstructive sleep apnea: Study

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which the upper airway of the respiratory system gets partially or completely blocked while sleeping. The severity of the condition can increase the risk of various other health issues, including breathing problems and heart ailments like abnormal heart rhythms and even heart failure.

A new study published in European Respiratory Journal, reveals that maintaining an active lifestyle can reduce the risk of this disorder. Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Massachusetts examined the effect of an active lifestyle in relation to obstructive sleep apnea. 130,000 men and women in the United States were observed for a period of 10 to 18 years in the experiment. Most of the participants were health professionals themselves.

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Tianyi Huang, Associate Epidemiologist, said that those with higher levels of physical activity and fewer hours of sitting reported a lower incidence of this respiratory issue. The results suggest that promoting an active lifestyle may have substantial benefits for both prevention and treatment of the disorder.

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In light of the findings, researchers are thereby encouraging physicians to highlight the benefits of physical activity to lower the risk of this disease.