Abstract
Abstract
Purpose: Epidemiological studies have shown a close correlation between exercises and sleep disorders which affects the quality of life especially in elderly people. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between sport participation and sleep quality of aged male and female population.
Method: 384 elderly persons aged ≥60 years were selected by simple random sampling method in recreational parks of Tehran City. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to monitor the quality of sleep before and after exercise treatment. Data analysis was carried out independent t test and using Pearson correlation at the significance level of p≤0/05.
Results: The findings suggested that there was a significant relationship between sport participation with subjective sleep quality, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances and daytime dysfunction, while no significant relationship was found between sport participation with sleep latency and use of sleeping medication.
Conclusion: the aged populations are highly recommended to do sport participation with the aim of improving quality of sleep.

Key words: Keyword: exercise, sleep quality, elderly people