The Associations Between Objectively Measured Gait Speed and Subjective Sleep Quality in First-Year University Students, According to Gender

PURPOSE: To examine the associations between gait speed and sleep quality in first-year university students, according to gender. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we recruited 193 first-year university students [mean age±standard deviation (SD): 19.6±1.1 years; mean height: 178.0±10.5 cm; mean weight: 74.0±11.0 kg; 26.9% women). Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality questionnaire, with a lower score indicating “better” sleep quality. Gait speed was measured using the Zebris pressure platform. The associations were examined with generalized linear models and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: In the unadjusted model, faster participants had significantly “better” sleep quality (β=−3.15, 95% CI −3.82 to −2.47, p<0.001). When the model was adjusted for sex, age, body-mass index, self-rated health, smoking status, and psychological distress, faster participants remained having “better” sleep quality (β=−2.88, 95% CI −3.53 to −2.22, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study shows that sleep quality can be predicted by gait speed in the first-year university students.