Supervision

•  Prof. Dr. Simon Steib

Participating

• Prof. Dr. Jürgen M. Bauer
• PD Dr. Gordon Feld
• Dr. Daniela Ramirez-Butavand
• Prof. Dr. Cornelia Wrzus

Project Runtime

06/2024 – 10/2026

Summary

Sleep plays a critical role for cognitive functioning, health, and well-being. Around half of the older population experience sleep problems such as difficulties falling asleep, reduced sleep efficiency, and a decrease in total sleep time. These changes have been linked to memory deficits and cognitive decline, as well as reduced psychological well-being and quality of life. Exercise is a low-cost and accessible option that not only improves physical and mental health, but can also positively impact sleep characteristics in healthy young and middle-aged adults. However, little is known about how exercise impacts qualitative and quantitative aspects of sleep in the elderly, and how this may benefit cognitive function and well-being. Therefore, this project aims to investigate the effects of exercise on sleep, and how this impacts cognitive function and psychological well-being in older adults. In a within-subject experimental design, we will monitor participants’ sleep using gold standard procedures (polysomnography) after an evening bout of (i) intensive exercise, and (ii) seated rest, respectively. Measures of cognitive function and psychological well-being will be administered in the evening and on the subsequent morning.