THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WEIGHT TRAINING AND SLEEP QUALITY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: AN ANALYSIS OF CONTEMPORARY STUDIES

Abstract

Sleep quality is essential for physical, emotional, and cognitive health, especially during college. Poor sleep quality harms academic performance and can cause psychological disorders. Practices such as regular physical activity, especially strength training, help reduce these impacts and improve the body's balance. Given this reality, the present study aimed to analyze the relationship between strength training and sleep quality in college students, based on a critical review of contemporary studies. This study adopted a literature review methodology, using 10 scientific articles, books, and academic publications that address the interaction between strength training and physiological and behavioral aspects of sleep. The research focused on identifying the biological mechanisms involved, the potential benefits, and the limitations of the studies analyzed. The articles were selected from the PubMed, Scielo, and Google Scholar databases, published between 2020 and 2025. The results indicated that regular strength training can have a positive influence on sleep quality, especially when performed in a planned manner, respecting factors such as intensity, frequency, and appropriate timing. In addition to contributing to physical health, strength training appears to regulate hormones and reduce stress, factors that directly impact restorative sleep. The conclusion is that planned and regular strength training improves sleep quality, although factors such as intensity and timing of exercise can influence its effects, especially if performed close to bedtime.