Physical activity attenuates the association of long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide with sleep quality and its dimensions in Chinese rural older adults

Abstract

Background: Joint impacts of air pollution and physical activity (PA) on sleep quality remain unaddressed. We aimed to investigate whether PA attenuates the association of long-term exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) with sleep quality and its dimensions in older adults.

Methods: This study included 3408 Chinese rural older adults. Annual NO₂ was estimated using the Space-Time Extra-Trees model. PA was assessed by International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Sleep quality was evaluated using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale. Linear regression models were used to assess the associations of long-term NO₂ exposure and PA with sleep quality and its dimensions, and interaction plots were used to depict the attenuating effect of PA on associations of NO₂ with sleep quality and its dimensions.

Results: Three-year (3-y) average NO₂ (per 0.64-μg/m³ increment) was positively associated with global PSQI (β = 0.41, 95 % CI: 0.23, 0.59), sleep duration (β = 0.16, 95 % CI: 0.11, 0.21), and habitual sleep efficiency (β = 0.22, 95 % CI: 0.17, 0.27), while PA was negatively associated with global PSQI (β = -0.33, 95 % CI: -0.46, -0.20) and five domains of PSQI other than sleep duration and sleep disturbances. The associations of NO₂ with global PSQI, sleep duration, and habitual sleep efficiency were attenuated with increased PA (P_interaction were 0.037, 0.020, and 0.079, respectively).

Conclusions: PA attenuates the adverse impacts of long-term NO₂ exposure on sleep quality, especially on sleep duration, and habitual sleep efficiency, in Chinese rural elderly people. Participating in PA should be encouraged in this population, and continued efforts are still needed to reduce air pollution.

Keywords: Nitrogen dioxide; Physical activity; Rural older adults; Sleep quality.