Effects of resistance training on subjective sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and quality of life in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial

Purpose This study aimed to verify the effect of eight weeks of resistance training (RT) on subjective sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and quality of life in adults with OSA. Methods In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 25 adults with moderate to severe OSA (age: 54.6 ± 7.2 years; BMI: 36.1 ± 7.9 kg/m²; apnea-hypopnea index: 52.2 ± 27.4 events/hour) were included. Participants were randomized into an RT group (three sessions per week) or a control group [CG (two sessions per week)]. Sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and quality of life were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), SF-36, respectively. Generalized estimated equations verified differences between groups over time. Results Differences were observed in domains sleep latency (RT: Δ -1.0 ± 0.3 vs. CG: 0.2 ± 0.2; p = 0.018), sleep duration (RT: Δ -0.6 ± 0.3 vs. CG: -0.2 ± 0.2; p = 0.012), sleeping medication (RT: Δ -0.2 ± 0.1 vs. CG: 0.8 ± 0.3; p = 0.007), and overall PSQI score (RT: Δ -3.2 ± 0.6 vs. CG: 0.2 ± 0.8; p = 0.004). Regarding SF-36, differences were found in emotional aspects (RT: Δ 29.6 ± 14.8 vs. CG: -17.9 ± 10.0; p = 0.008) and global score (RT: Δ 10.8 ± 3.3 vs. CG: -3.4 ± 3.1; p = 0.002) were observed. No difference was observed in ESS. Conclusion An eight-week RT program improves subjective sleep quality and quality of life in adults with moderate to severe OSA. Clinical trial registration (Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry [ReBec]): # RBR-2rg97kz. Date of registration: 01/17/2025.