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Effects of Exercise Training on Sleep Apnea: A Meta-analysis

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Abstract

Background

Several studies have shown a favorable effect of supervised exercise training on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the data from these studies on the severity of OSA (primary outcome) in adults. Secondary outcomes of interest included body mass index (BMI), sleep efficiency, daytime sleepiness and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Methods

Two independent reviewers searched PubMed and Embase (from inception to March 6, 2013) to identify studies on the effects of supervised exercise training in adults with OSA. Pre- and postexercise training data on our primary and secondary outcomes were extracted.

Results

A total of 5 studies with 6 cohorts that enrolled a total of 129 study participants met the inclusion criteria. The pooled estimate of mean pre- to postintervention (exercise) reduction in AHI was −6.27 events/h (95 % confidence interval [CI] −8.54 to −3.99; p < 0.001). The pooled estimates of mean changes in BMI, sleep efficiency, Epworth sleepiness scale and VO2 peak were −1.37 (95 % CI −2.81 to 0.07; p = 0.06), 5.75 % (95 % CI 2.47–9.03; p = 0.001), −3.3 (95 % CI −5.57 to −1.02; p = 0.004), and 3.93 mL/kg/min (95 % CI 2.44–5.42; p < 0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis shows a statistically significant effect of exercise in reducing the severity of sleep apnea in patients with OSA with minimal changes in body weight. Additionally, the significant effects of exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness, daytime sleepiness, and sleep efficiency indicate the potential value of exercise in the management of OSA.

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Acknowledgment

This work was supported in part by HL78566 (to SDY) and HL082610 (to CEK).

Conflict of interest

The authors report no potential conflicts of interest with any companies/organizations whose products or services may be discussed in this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina, One Richland Medical Park, Suite 300, Columbia, SC, 29203, USA

    Imran H. Iftikhar

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Christopher E. Kline

  3. Departments of Exercise Science and Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

    Shawn D. Youngstedt

  4. WJB Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC, USA

    Shawn D. Youngstedt

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  1. Imran H. Iftikhar
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  2. Christopher E. Kline
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  3. Shawn D. Youngstedt
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Correspondence to Imran H. Iftikhar.

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Iftikhar, I.H., Kline, C.E. & Youngstedt, S.D. Effects of Exercise Training on Sleep Apnea: A Meta-analysis. Lung 192, 175–184 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-013-9511-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-013-9511-3

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