Beneficial effects of regular exercise on sleep in old F344 rats

With aging there is a significant decline in the normal architecture of sleep and a reduction in the diurnal amplitude of core body temperature. Regular moderate exercise has been shown to have a positive impact in the elderly and here we investigate whether sleep–wake patterning can also be improved. Young (3 months) and old (22 months) F344 rats were exercised once a day for 50 min at night onset over an 8-week period. Thereafter, polysomnographic recordings were obtained immediately after exercise. To determine the lasting consequences of exercise, sleep was also recorded 2 days and 2 weeks after exercise had ended. Old rats that were exercised had a significant weight loss, were awake more during the last third of their active period, had less sleep fragmentation and the amplitude of the diurnal rhythm of core body temperature was significantly increased. Old exercised rats also had an overall increase in the amplitude of EEG power (0.5–16 Hz) during wake and theta EEG power during REM sleep. In young rats regular exercise increased EEG delta power (0.5–4 Hz) during NREM sleep. Our data indicate regular exercise in old rats improves sleep architecture, EEG power and diurnal rhythm of temperature.